MOSCOW: Russia on Sunday alleged that Ukrainian drone strikes hit Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) calls for restraint.
The Moscow-controlled Zaporizhzhia atomic plant is Europe’s largest, nuclear plant. It is under the control of Russian forces since the start of Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.
The management of the nuclear plant in a post on social media said the Ukrainian Armed Forces struck the dome of the sixth power unit of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
It confirmed there was no radioactive discharge as a result of the attack.
The IAEA in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, confirmed physical impact of drone strikes at ZNPP on Sunday, including a reactor.
IAEA head Rafael Grossi said that at least three direct strikes took place near the ZNPP main reactor containment structures.
He appealed the military decision makers not to violate the basic principles that protect nuclear facilities.
According to the IAEA, the damage of the nuclear plant had not compromised nuclear safety, but termed it a serious incident with potential to weaken the reactor’s containment system.
Russia’s nuclear agency ROSATOM has demanded the West and Grossi to strongly condemn the attempt to escalate the situation near the Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant.
