The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed grave concern after a Ukrainian drone strike hit a turbine hall building at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, causing a crack in a wall of the facility.
IAEA director general Rafael Grossi voiced deep alarm over the incident, stressing that any attack on nuclear installations “is like playing with fire”.
In a post on X, the agency said an IAEA team stationed at the Russian‑controlled plant immediately requested access to the turbine hall building that was struck, in order to assess the damage.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was seized by Russian forces in March 2022 and has remained under Russian control since. It is located near the frontline in the south‑eastern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia. Throughout the four‑year war, the site has repeatedly come under fire, raising fears of a potential nuclear accident.
The attack occurred on Saturday, according to Rosatom head Alexey Likhachev, who said:
“This afternoon, a Ukrainian kamikaze combat drone struck the turbine hall building of Unit No. 6, resulting in an explosion,” Likhachev stated.
“The explosion did not damage the main equipment, but it did open a hole in the wall of the turbine hall,” he added.
There has been no immediate comment from the Ukrainian side. Likhachev described the attack as “deliberate”.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe’s largest nuclear power facility, has been a focal point of international concern since its occupation by Russia. Repeated shelling and drone incidents during the war have heightened fears of a nuclear accident at the site.
“We are one step closer to an incident that could affect even those living far beyond the borders of Russia and Ukraine who still believe they are completely safe,” Likhachev said.
Source: cnn.gr
