Borrell: Russia Must Leave Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Avoid Nuclear Risk to Europe

The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, after a drone attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, stated that Russia must leave this facility and not expose Europe to nuclear danger. This was mentioned in his Twitter message.

"The reckless drone attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant increases the risk of a dangerous nuclear accident. Such attacks must stop. Russia must leave the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant," said Josep Borrell. The EU's top diplomat also expressed full support for the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, and the IAEA itself.

It is worth noting that Grossi met with the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminița Odobescu, during a visit to Bucharest on April 8, where they discussed the situation in Ukraine, among other topics. During the meeting, the Romanian Foreign Minister emphasized the key role of the IAEA in ensuring nuclear safety standards and preventing accidents at Ukrainian nuclear power plants. She also recalled the attacks on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which have become more frequent in recent days, and emphasized the role of the IAEA in ensuring the safe and reliable use of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes.

Recall that The Gaze reported that on Sunday, April 7, on the territory of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), occupied by Russian forces, a drone exploded. The IAEA stated that Units 1 and 6 were damaged, and one person was injured.

In turn, the Director-General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, confirmed that a drone exploded on the territory of the ZNPP but did not provide any details of the incident. "The ZNPP informed IAEA experts that a drone exploded on the station's premises today. We also observed such a detonation. I urge refraining from actions that contradict the five principles of the IAEA and violate nuclear safety," said Rafael Grossi.

Russian occupying forces captured the city of Enerhodar and the nearby ZNPP in early March 2022. In September 2023, the president of "Energoatom" stated that 822 Ukrainian nuclear workers remain at the station. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russian occupiers of kidnapping and torturing station personnel.