Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor hit by drone strike under Russian control
A recent drone strike targeted the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, causing damage and raising concerns about the reactor's containment system integrity. The International Atomic Energy Agency has labeled the incident as a serious threat to the safety of the facility.
The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine was hit by a drone attack on Sunday. The agency described the incident as serious, with the potential to harm the integrity of the reactor's containment system.
In a statement released on X, the IAEA emphasized that although the damage occurred at the Russian-controlled plant, nuclear safety has not been compromised.
The agency's director-general, Rafael Grossi, stated that the drone attack targeted the facility's main reactor containment and resulted in three direct hits. He also mentioned that one person lost their life due to the attack.
Grossi emphasized that this incident is a clear violation of the fundamental principles for safeguarding Europe's largest nuclear power plant. He stressed that such reckless attacks elevate the likelihood of a major nuclear accident and must be stopped without delay.
Russian authorities claimed that the Ukrainian military was responsible for a series of attacks on the plant using drones that self-destruct, as stated on the ZNPP's official Telegram channel.
According to the statement from ZNPP, a truck unloading food was damaged, and another attack occurred in the cargo port area of the facility.
Shelling the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and its infrastructure is not acceptable. Nuclear power plants are not built to withstand direct attacks from armed forces. Any damage to the infrastructure could jeopardize the safe operation of the NPP, as stated by the authorities using an acronym for the plant.
In response to Russia's accusations, Ukraine has denied any involvement in the attack. The spokesperson for Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, Andriy Yusov, addressed the situation in an interview with Ukrainian news outlet Ukrainska Pravda.
Yusov expressed concern that the aggressor state is putting the nuclear facility, civilians, and the environment of Europe at risk. This information was reported by Ukrayinska Pravda.
CNN is unable to confirm the claims made by Russia or Ukraine.
"No one stands to gain anything from attacking nuclear facilities. It is absolutely unacceptable. I urge military leaders to refrain from any actions that would endanger these important facilities," Grossi emphasized.
CNN has contacted Energoatom, the biggest power provider in Ukraine, as well as the Ukrainian Armed Forces, for their input.
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