Drone Strikes Russian Nuclear Power Plant, No Security Impact Reported
Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine - A drone attack targeted the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, controlled by Russia, on Sunday, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).While the strikes caused physical damage to parts of the plant, including areas containing spent nuclear fuel, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated there was “no direct impact on nuclear safety and security.”
The incident raises renewed concerns about the vulnerability of Europe’s largest nuclear facility amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and ukraine. The Zaporizhzhia plant has been a focal point of anxiety since Russian forces seized control in March 2022, with repeated shelling and disruptions to external power supply threatening a potential nuclear accident. The IAEA has maintained a permanent presence at the plant to monitor the situation and assess risks, but the latest attack underscores the persistent danger posed by military activity in the vicinity.
According to the IAEA, the drone strikes damaged structures in the area of the spent fuel storage. Experts are assessing the full extent of the damage, but initial reports indicate the plant’s safety systems remain intact. Grossi emphasized that this latest event highlights the urgent need for strengthened protection of the nuclear facility.
this attack follows a series of drone incidents across western Russia, as reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense. These included 62 neutralized drones over Belgorod and 31 over the surrounding region, as well as 36 over Nijni Novgorod and attacks above the Black Sea. The Ministry previously announced intercepting over 250 drones. in the Nijni Novgorod region, the Dzerjinsk industrial zone, home to several chemical companies, was targeted, with debris falling on a company’s territory, causing no significant damage or injuries, according to Governor Gleb Nikitine via Telegram. Meanwhile, in the Belgorod region, approximately 1,000 people experienced power outages following drone attacks on energy infrastructure, and two energy technicians were killed Monday while restoring power, as reported by Governor Viatcheslav gladkov on Telegram.
