Drone attack near Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant: IAEA reports one dead and injured

Background: Zaporizhzhia under fire

The IAEA said it had been informed of the incident and was monitoring the situation. An independent verification of the information from Moscow was initially not possible. Ukrainian authorities also commented on the incident; the Moscow-installed administration of the plant had previously reported one dead and several injured.

The international community has regarded the nuclear power plant near the front line for months as one of the most dangerous flashpoints of the conflict. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi had repeatedly warned in the past of a possible nuclear incident and called for unhindered inspection rights.

The Russian news agency TASS and the Russian Investigative Committee had recently repeatedly reported drone attacks on the Zaporizhzhia region. Damage to surrounding buildings was also reported; whether the explosion caused direct damage to the reactor buildings initially remained unclear.

Disputed control over the facility

Zaporizhzhia has been run by a Russian-installed administration since its occupation by Russian troops in 2022. Ukrainian personnel continue to work there under the supervision of the occupation authorities, but the IAEA does not have unrestricted access to parts of the facility.

The Ukrainian government had repeatedly blamed Russia in recent weeks for attacks in the vicinity of the plant. Moscow, on the other hand, accuses Kyiv of using or shelling the plant for attacks. An independent investigation into the current incident is pending.

The IAEA stressed that any military activity in the immediate vicinity of a nuclear power plant poses an unacceptable risk and endangers nuclear safety. The agency once again called for maximum restraint.

IAEA warns of nuclear risks

Observers noted that drone attacks in the Zaporizhzhia region have increased in recent months. The exact origin of the drone that detonated on Sunday was initially unclear; both Russia and Ukraine deny having carried out the attack.

The situation at the nuclear power plant remains tense, according to the IAEA. The agency's permanent mission on site is vigilant and is monitoring further incidents, it said from Vienna.

International reactions to the incident were still pending at the time of publication. The United Nations and several European governments had reacted with concern in the past after similar incidents and called for the protection of the plant.