A Ukrainian drone struck engineers demining an area around the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, injuring at least three people. The incident occurred during an IAEA-brokered ceasefire aimed at restoring the plant's external power line.
Russia's nuclear energy corporation Rosatom reported that a Ukrainian drone deliberately struck engineers demining an area around the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, resulting in injuries to at least three individuals, two of whom were in serious condition. The incident occurred at the beginning of a ceasefire around the plant, brokered by the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with the aim of restoring the main external power line to the facility. Rosatom head Alexei Likachev described the strike as 'clearly calculated' and urged the international community to be aware of ongoing attempts to inflict maximum damage on the plant and its safety personnel. In a separate statement, Rosatom reported five people were hurt. The IAEA confirmed it had been informed by the plant's Russian-installed management, and its Director General, Rafael Grossi, called for maximum military restraint and full adherence to the ceasefire. Ukraine has not yet commented on the incident. The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest with six reactors, was captured by Russian forces early in the invasion, and both sides have since accused each other of actions that compromise nuclear safety. The plant's Russian-installed management also accused Ukraine of deploying over 20 drones to attack a nearby thermal plant crucial for external power supply. The nuclear facility currently relies on diesel generators for power, as its external power lines are down following attacks on two electrical substations.
The incident raises serious concerns about nuclear safety at the Zaporizhzhia plant amid the ongoing conflict, potentially jeopardizing critical infrastructure and civilian lives.