The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has announced the attack of drones on the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Station, which has been occupied by the Russians for two years. This event has caused serious concern to the world public, and the IAEA called it "serious escalation", while Russia described it as an "unprecedented attack". Ukraine categorically denies its involvement in this incident.
According to international experts, the attacks of drones occurred on April 7. The Chairman Raphael Grosssey stressed that this nuclear power plant, which is the largest in Europe, for the first time since November 2022 has become a "direct target" of hostilities.
"This situation poses a serious threat to the nuclear security and safety of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant. Such reckless attacks significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident and should be stopped immediately," he emphasized.
Rosatom State Corporation, which illegally manages the occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power station, reported the arrival of three drones in the station.
The first blow occurred at 11:38 in the area near the dining room, which led to the injuries of three people, one of whom suffered serious injuries. Half an hour later, the drone attacked the cargo port. Later, one of the drones attacked the sixth unit of the ZEP, the blow fell on its dome.
The IAEA inspectors who arrived at the scene established the fact of the drone on the body of the unit. According to their data, the purpose of the drone was the equipment for observation and communication.
"While on the roof of the reactor of the sixth block, Russian troops opened fire on the drone. After that, there was an explosion near the reactor body," the agency said.
The IAEA team also found drones at the site of this and two other attacks. Near the laboratory, they noticed blood spots near the damaged military transport. This indicates at least one loss among the Russian military.
Experts reported that explosions and shooting were heard during the day. In addition, the IAEA team heard several shells of artillery fire near the plant.
The Ukrainian authorities have stated that there was no connection with the armed incidents at the ZPP.
"The aggressor state again threatens the nuclear object, civilian population and the environment of all Europe. Russian attacks, including imitative, in the territory of the Ukrainian Nuclear Station, as well as the deployment of troops and weapons, mines of the NPP, have long been known and constant criminal practice.
According to him, the safety of the ZPP can only be guaranteed if Russia removes its troops from all objects of the station.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Rosatom State Corporation have stated that the attacks of drones on the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant did not lead to serious damage and do not pose a threat to nuclear security.
International inspectors have found only minor surface burns of the upper roof of the dome of the reactor of the sixth unit, as well as scratches on a concrete slab that supports the pre -water storage tanks.
"Although damage to the sixth block did not cause a threat to nuclear safety, this incident was serious and could potentially undermine the integrity of the reactor protective shell," said CEO Rafael Grosssey.
The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine also did not announce the threat of nuclear security as a result of this incident at the Zaporozhye NPP. The only renewal that has been provided relates to the water level in a special rate used to cool nuclear reactors.
"The water level in the cooler rate has decreased slightly and is 15.49 meters. This is enough to meet the needs of the station," the Ministry of Energy reported.
The head of the scientific and analytical section of the Ukrainian Nuclear Society, Konstantin Family, stated for the Air Force that the reactor building could not suffer serious damage from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
"I want to reassure everyone, the reactor body itself is very strong and designed to fall a heavy aircraft, so it must withstand the drone," he said.
However, the expert indicated that there are objects that are less protected in the territory of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant (ZPP) in the territory of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, especially if it does not have enough explosives.
"There is a dry repository of waste nuclear fuel. And, unfortunately, there is no such protection as on the reactor body itself," the family added.
In this case, according to the expert, the leakage of radiation in case of damage to the shell of this storage cannot be excluded.
In general, he emphasized that the IAEA inspectors, who should control the security of the ZPP, do not have sufficient power over Russian invaders, who, including the placement of military equipment and ammunition, put a nuclear station under a constant threat.
Russian troops occupied the ZPP in early March 2022.
On March 8, 2024, the IAEA Board of IAEA supported the project of the resolution, which called on the Russian Federation to urgently withdraw its staff, including the military from the Ukrainian Nuclear Station.
