Ukraine: IAEA seeks access to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant after reported drone strike
The IAEA requested access to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant after reports of a drone strike on a turbine building. Russia and Ukraine traded accusations over the incident, which caused minor damage but no critical impact.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has formally requested access to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine after reports emerged of a drone strike on the Russian-occupied facility. The UN nuclear watchdog said it was notified by the plant’s management—currently under Kremlin-appointed authorities—that a drone struck a turbine building within the complex, leaving a hole in its wall. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has heightened concerns over the safety of Europe’s largest nuclear plant, where all six reactors have been shut down since Russian forces seized control in March 2022. The IAEA’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, described the reported attack as deeply alarming, warning that any strike on a nuclear site risks catastrophic consequences.
Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, accused Ukrainian forces of carrying out the drone strike, claiming a “kamikaze” drone targeted the turbine hall of Power Unit No. 6, resulting in a small explosion but no damage to critical equipment. Alexei Likhachev, Rosatom’s chief, labelled the incident a “deliberate act,” asserting that the explosion tore a hole in the turbine building’s wall. However, Ukraine’s military swiftly denied the allegations, dismissing Moscow’s claims as “yet another propaganda ploy.” In a statement, the Ukrainian military emphasized that its forces operate in strict accordance with international humanitarian law and would never target nuclear facilities, noting that no combat activity or weapons use had occurred in the area at the time of the incident.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, which once supplied a significant portion of Ukraine’s electricity, remains in a precarious state under Russian occupation, with all reactors in cold shutdown to prevent a nuclear accident. The IAEA has maintained a presence at the site since September 2022, monitoring safety conditions amid repeated allegations of military activity around the facility. Grossi reiterated the agency’s position that attacking nuclear sites is reckless, calling for immediate access to the affected turbine building to assess the damage first-hand. This would mark the first drone strike within the plant’s perimeter since April 2024, raising fresh concerns about the escalating risks to nuclear safety in a war zone.
The conflicting narratives from Moscow and Kyiv underscore the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the plant, which has become a focal point of international concern. While the immediate impact of the strike appears limited, the incident has reignited debates over the risks of nuclear sabotage in conflict zones. The IAEA’s demand for unfettered access reflects growing unease over the plant’s vulnerability, particularly as Ukraine’s counteroffensive and Russia’s defensive operations continue to encroach on critical infrastructure. With the potential for further destabilization, the agency’s call for transparency signals the urgent need to prevent any action that could endanger one of Europe’s most hazardous nuclear sites.
