The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed damage to emergency response infrastructure near Europe’s largest nuclear power plant after reported drone strikes intensified around the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia facility in southern Ukraine.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Thursday that infrastructure tied to emergency monitoring operations near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant sustained damage following a reported drone strike, as Russian officials accused Ukraine of escalating attacks around the facility.
According to a statement released by the IAEA, agency personnel stationed at the plant were informed that a drone attack struck the External Radiation Control Laboratory on May 3. The facility is located approximately four kilometers from the plant perimeter.
“On 3 May, the ZNPP informed the IAEA team at the site that a drone attack had occurred at the External Radiation Control Laboratory (ERCL), situated approximately four kilometres from the plant perimeter,” the agency stated. “Visiting the facility the next day, the IAEA observed damage to meteorological equipment used to collect real-time environmental parameters in the event of a nuclear or radiological emergency. The IAEA team was informed that the equipment is currently not operable.”
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the latest incident underscored continuing nuclear safety concerns surrounding military operations near the site.
“Nuclear emergency response infrastructure near the ZNPP was damaged in a drone attack over the past week, once again highlighting the persistent risks to nuclear safety and security amid ongoing military activities,” Grossi said.
Russian state nuclear operator Rosatom condemned the reported attacks, accusing Ukrainian forces of deliberately targeting infrastructure connected to the facility and nearby civilian areas.
“Choosing a nuclear power plant as a target is the most irresponsible step on the part of the Ukrainian authorities… Any strike on any building, any piece of equipment is a blow to the nuclear safety of the NPP… Not understanding this is the height of cynicism and recklessness,” Rosatom chief Aleksey Likhachev said in a statement reported by RT.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, located in the Russian-controlled city of Energodar in southeastern Ukraine, is the largest nuclear power facility in Europe. Russian forces seized the plant in March 2022 shortly after the start of the war. All six reactors were shut down by September of that year, though the site remains heavily monitored because of ongoing military activity nearby.
Likhachev said Ukrainian drones had targeted civilian infrastructure in Energodar for three consecutive days. The city sits only a few kilometers from active front-line combat zones.
According to reporting by RT, Russian officials said the attacks struck a gas distribution station and residential buildings, with more than 20 explosions recorded in a single day. Officials also claimed five vehicles were destroyed and a fire truck sustained major damage.
Moscow has repeatedly accused Ukraine of launching attacks around the nuclear facility since the war began, warning that continued strikes risk triggering a nuclear disaster similar to the 1986 Chernobyl catastrophe. Ukrainian officials have denied intentionally targeting the plant and have accused Russia of staging incidents around the site.
In April, Russian authorities reported that a Ukrainian drone strike killed an employee working at the facility.
“Today, a driver was killed as a result of a strike by a Ukrainian Armed Forces drone on the transport shop floor of the ZNPP,” the facility said at the time, according to RT.
The renewed accusations surrounding the plant come as both Moscow and Kiev exchange claims of ceasefire violations amid ongoing fighting.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces continued attacks despite a Kremlin-announced ceasefire tied to upcoming Victory Day commemorations in Moscow.
“Since the start of the day, the Russian army has been attacking Ukraine in every form – with attack drones, missile strikes, shelling and assaults along the front line, and the use of aerial bombs,” Zelensky said. “In just the time from midnight through the morning, there have already been around 100 attack drones, dozens of assault actions on key frontline directions, as well as dozens of air strikes.”
He added that Ukrainian infrastructure in the Kharkiv, Sumy, Donetsk and Kherson regions had sustained damage and accused Russia of continuing attacks against the country’s energy grid and rail systems.
“All of this shows that Russia is not seriously considering a ceasefire,” Zelensky stated. “In a mirror response to Russian strikes, we will continue our long-range sanctions. And in response to Russia’s willingness to move toward diplomacy, we will proceed along the path of diplomacy.”
Russia previously announced the ceasefire would begin Friday, while Ukrainian officials said Moscow had continued offensive operations before the scheduled start.
Both Russia and Ukraine have also accused each other of violating a separate Easter ceasefire earlier this year, according to reporting by the BBC.
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