VIENNA: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been informed by the Russian authorities in control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine that a drone detonated on the site on Sunday.
In a statement on social media, the IAEA said, “IAEA experts have been informed by ZNPP that a drone detonated on site today. Such detonation is consistent with IAEA observations.”
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi urged restraint, saying, “I urge to refrain from actions that jeopardize nuclear safety.”
IAEA experts have been informed by ZNPP that a drone detonated on site today. Such detonation is consistent with IAEA observations. “I urge to refrain from actions that contradict the 5 IAEA principles and jeopardise nuclear safety,” Director General @rafaelmgrossi said.
— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) April 7, 2024
According to the Russian-installed administration at the plant, Ukraine attacked the facility on Sunday, including a strike on the dome of the plant’s sixth power unit, which caused no damage. Earlier, the administration reported a drone attack that damaged a truck parked near the station’s canteen, as reported by the Russian state news agency TASS.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been under Russian control since March 2022 when Russian forces occupied most of the southeastern region of Ukraine, close to the frontlines of the war. Both Kyiv and Moscow have earlier accused each other of shelling the plant, sparking concerns about a potential nuclear disaster.
The incident comes amidst increasing speculation that NATO was planning to play a more proactive role in Ukraine.
In a separate incident, a woman was killed, and four others, including two children, were injured after air defenses downed four Ukrainian drones approaching the city of Belgorod in Russia’s Belgorod region, according to the local governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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