The attack on nuclear facilities in Ukraine significantly increases the risk of a serious accident

He International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has denounced a drone attack against the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant (Ukraine) that have hit one of its six reactors.

“The damage to unit 6 has not compromised nuclear safety, but this is a serious incident with the potential to undermine the integrity of the reactor containment system,” the Agency said.

“This is a clear violation of the basic principles of protection of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. “These reckless attacks significantly increase the risk of a serious nuclear accident and must stop immediately,” said IAEA Director Rafael Mariano Grossi in a message on his X account.

Russia, which occupies the headquarters, has accused Ukraine of the attack, while Kyiv denies responsibility.

This is the first time that the Zaporizhia power plant, Europe's largest nuclear plant, has been a direct target of a drone attack since Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The plant has been occupied by forces Russians from the first weeks of the fighting.

Reiterating that no one can “conceivably benefit” or gain any military or political advantage from attacks on nuclear facilities, he stressed that such attacks are “useless.”

“I strongly appeal to military leaders to refrain from any action that violates the basic principles that protect nuclear facilities”.

At least one injured

According to the IAEA, after receiving information from the aforementioned center about the drone attacks, its experts stationed at the site traveled to the three affected locations and were able to confirm the physical impact of the detonations, including in one of the six reactor buildings. where surveillance and communication equipment appeared to have been the target.

While on the roof of the reactor, Russian troops confronted what appeared to be a drone that was approaching, the agency said, adding that this was followed by an explosion near the reactor building.

“The IAEA team reported that they observed drone debris at this and two other impact sites at the site. At one of them, outside a laboratory, they saw bloodstains next to a damaged military logistics vehicle, indicating the least one victim,” he said.

IAEA experts also reported that they had heard explosions and rifle shots at the site throughout the day. The team also heard several rounds of outgoing artillery fire from the vicinity of the plant.