Nuclear security at risk due to attack on Zaporizhia nuclear plant: IAEA chief

Vienna: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog, has said that Sunday’s drone attack on the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine is a serious incident, putting nuclear security at risk. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said such attacks significantly increase the risk of a nuclear accident and should be stopped. For the first time since November 2022, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant was targeted. The IAEA said in a statement that the attack violated basic principles of plant security. “IAEA experts deployed to the site visited three affected sites. They observed an incident where monitoring and communications equipment was targeted in one of the six reactor buildings. A drone approaching the reactor roof was detected by Russian troops,” the IAEA said. “Hit the target. After this there was an explosion near the reactor building.” “The IAEA team reported that they observed remains of a drone at the site. They also observed blood stains on the side of a damaged military logistics vehicle, indicating casualties.” Experts said that sounds of explosions and firing were heard throughout the day at the spot. Russia said that Ukraine was behind the attack. Although Ukraine has denied this. It is noteworthy that the Zaporizhia plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, its total capacity is 6 gigawatts. In late February 2022, Russia took control of the plant.