Russia Blasts Zelensky Over Explosions at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
- Attacks on the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine have drawn a sharp warning from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
- The reported drone strike inside the perimeter of Europe's largest nuclear power plant occurred on a Saturday.
- Russian officials blamed Ukraine for deliberately targeting the facility.
Attacks on the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine have drawn a sharp warning from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Chief Rafael Grossi declared that such strikes are like playing with fire.
Grossi Warns of Nuclear Danger
The reported drone strike inside the perimeter of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant occurred on a Saturday. It marked the first such incident within the facility’s boundaries since April 2024.
Moscow and Kyiv Clash Over Blame
Russian officials blamed Ukraine for deliberately targeting the facility. Kyiv rejected the allegation as a propaganda ploy.
Mikhail Ulyanov, a senior Russian official stationed in Vienna where the International Atomic Energy Agency is based, stated that agency experts were actively inspecting the site. The International Atomic Energy Agency separately stated that it had requested access to the facility to evaluate potential damage and ongoing safety risks.
Fragile Power Supplies at Risk
Although the Zaporizhzhia plant is not currently operational, it requires a continuous supply of off-site power to keep its reactors safe.
It has lost that connection more than a dozen times since February 2022, including an incident in mid-December.
Seizure and Safety Precedents
Russian forces seized control of the nuclear facility after taking the nearby town of Enerhodar in March 2022, shortly after the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion.
The ongoing danger of a nuclear accident in Ukraine has remained a constant concern. This is compounded by the historical shadow of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, which marked its 40th anniversary last month.
To mitigate these dangers, the International Atomic Energy Agency established seven indispensable pillars in March 2022 to maintain nuclear safety. This was followed by five concrete principles in May 2023 that strictly forbid any attacks from or against the Zaporizhzhia plant, particularly around its reactors.