IAEA Experts Receive Report from Russian Occupiers of Zaporizhzhia NPP About New Drone Attack
The IAEA experts received a report from the Russian occupiers of the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia NPP about a new attempted drone attack on the training centre of Europe's largest nuclear power plant, but the Russians did not provide any other details and did not allow IAEA experts to assess the incident.
This is reported in a statement by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, Ukrinform reports.
"The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed of another attempted drone attack on the training centre of the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which took place today, but did not result in damage or casualties," the statement said.
"The IAEA team heard the explosion at the same time local time, 10:35 a.m., when ZNPP subsequently reported an attempted drone attack. The team was denied access to the training centre located outside the ZNPP site perimeter to assess the incident, citing potential security risks."
The IAEA Director General stressed that if the new drone attack is confirmed, "it would be an extremely worrying development".
"So far, the drone strikes have not jeopardised nuclear safety at the facility. But, as I told the UN Security Council a few days ago, these reckless attacks must stop immediately," Grossi said.
As previously reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, citing intelligence data, Russian terrorists are going to carry out a provocation at the ZNPP to make false accusations against Ukraine.
On 7 April, three drones crashed on and near the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia NPP, hitting reactors 1 and 6, including surveillance and communication equipment on the roof of the reactor of unit 6 and a military vehicle. The IAEA experts present at the plant did not find any structural damage to systems, structures and components, but stressed the nuclear threat.
Following this, the UN Security Council met to discuss the escalation of the nuclear safety situation at Europe's largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia NPP, which was seized by Russian troops in March 2022.
In his turn, after the drone attack on Zaporizhzhia NPP, the Head of European Diplomacy Josep Borrell said that Russia should leave the facility and not expose Europe to nuclear danger.