Members of the monitoring mission have reported significant military intensity in the area over the past week.
The nuclear safety situation at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant worsened after a nearby drone strike. This was announced on Saturday, August 17, by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi.
“Once again we see the threat to the nuclear safety and security of the Zaporozhye NPP growing, I remain deeply concerned and repeat my call for maximum restraint on all sides and for strict adherence to five specific principles which was established to protect the plant.” he called.
He noted that the monitoring mission reported that explosives aboard the drone detonated near the cooling water sprinkler ponds and about 100 meters from the Dnieper power line, the only 750-kilovolt line that powers the plant.
According to the IAEA, no one was killed as a result of the attack, and the equipment at the nuclear power plant was also not damaged.
At the same time, observers noticed that the intensity of fighting near the Zaporizhia NPP was growing.
“The team heard frequent explosions, single shots from large-caliber machine guns and rifles, as well as artillery at various distances from the plant. There are no signs of cessation of military activity near Zaporizhia NPP,” the head of the IAEA. said.
He added that nuclear power plants are designed to be resilient to technical or human failures and external events, including extreme ones, but they are not designed to withstand direct military attack.
“This latest attack shows the vulnerability of such facilities in conflict zones and the need to continue monitoring the unstable situation,” concluded the head of the organization.
We remind you that the IAEA confirmed heavy smoke and explosions on the territory of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant occupied by the Russians on Sunday, August 11. The head of the Nikopol OVA said that this could be a provocation by the Russians.
The IAEA made a statement about the fire at Zaporizhia NPP
New Correspondent.net on Telegram and WhatsApp. Subscribe to our channels Athletistic and WhatsApp
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.