Drones are believed to have struck the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant yesterday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said, citing the administration of the occupied facility.
Russian officials said yesterday that three drones struck an area near the factory.
The UN nuclear watchdog has now said it has received reports of drone strikes in the vicinity of the site, injuring workers at the Enerhodar power substation and starting a fire in a forest area near the plant.
IAEA experts stationed at the plant said they saw thick smoke rising from the facility and heard explosions after they were told by plant officials about the alleged drone strike.
Director General Raffaele Grossi said: “It is extremely worrying that these drone attacks continue, despite the obvious danger they pose to the people at Energodar, as well as to the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
“They need to stop, immediately.”
The IAEA also said that before yesterday’s strikes, its team had heard of military activity near the plant for most of the past week.
What was going on in the factory?
The nuclear facility has been under Russian control since March 4, 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Since then, there have been major concerns about the security of the plant – particularly as heavy weapons, including shells and rockets, have hit the buildings.
Both sides blame each other.
Since Russian forces occupied the site, there have been several power outages, raising fears of a nuclear disaster.
