IAEA raises concerns after drone attack on Zaparozhye power plant
3 Min Read
This latest attack follows a similar incident on Sunday, reflecting a recurring trend that has raised concerns among IAEA leadership regarding the potential for a nuclear disaster.
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The Zaporizhye nuclear power plant, Europe's largest, is seen in the background of the shallow Kakhovka Reservoir after the dam collapse, in Energodar, June 27, 2023 (AP)
A drone attack on the training center building at the Zaporizhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP) raised alarm on Tuesday, prompting concerns from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the safety and security of the facility.
This latest attack follows a similar incident on Sunday, reflecting a recurring trend that has raised concerns among IAEA leadership regarding the potential for a nuclear disaster.
The plant's press service said on Tuesday that a Ukrainian armed forces drone has attacked the roof of a building with a unique training center of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), but no one was injured.
"The unique training center of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was attacked. A Ukrainian armed forces drone hit the roof of the ZNPP training center building, where the world's only full-scale reactor hall simulator is located. No one was injured as a result of the attack," the press service wrote on Telegram.
According to Evgenia Yashina, communications director of the plant, the attack occurred just 10 minutes after representatives of the IAEA monitoring mission had passed by the building. The drone strike targeted the training center where plant employees undergo training and practice technological operations.
Fortunately, no employees or equipment at the center were harmed in the attack.
"As a result of the attack, neither employees nor equipment of this unique center were damaged," Yashina confirmed.
Read more: Russia addresses IAEA concerns about mines placed around ZNPP
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi asserted that the recent attack, along with Sunday's incident, indicates a readiness for further repetition. He further warned that whoever is accountable for these attacks is "playing with fire" and risking severe consequences.
"Today’s reported incident — although outside the site perimeter — is an ominous development as it indicates an apparent readiness to continue these attacks, despite the grave dangers they pose to nuclear safety and security and our repeated calls for military restraint. Whoever is behind them, they are playing with fire," Grossi was quoted as saying in an IAEA statement.
"Attacking a nuclear power plant is extremely irresponsible and dangerous, and it must stop," Grossi added
The IAEA experts' requests to assess the impact of the attacks were denied due to security reasons, according to the statement.
Grossi said he plans to brief the United Nations Security Council next week on the situation.
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— Alisa_Vasilisa (@Alisa_Vasilisa_) April 9, 2024
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