The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team reported remnants of drones at impact locations at the plant. Credit: lev radin via Shutterstock.com.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, currently under Russian control, has been struck by a drone attack, causing damage to one of its six reactors.

The UN’s atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has confirmed the incident, which it describes as serious, a danger to nuclear safety and security, and a violation of established protective principles.

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IAEA experts on-site inspected three impacted locations after receiving reports of the strikes.

They reported minor superficial damage including scorching on the reactor dome roof of Unit 6 and marks on a concrete slab supporting primary make-up water storage tanks.

There were no indications of damage to critical nuclear safety or security systems at the site.

IAEA director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi stated: “This is a major escalation of the nuclear safety and security dangers facing the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. Such reckless attacks significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident and must cease immediately.

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“As I have repeatedly stated – including at the Security Council and the IAEA’s board of governors – no one can conceivably benefit or get any military or political advantage from attacks against nuclear facilities. Attacking a nuclear power plant is an absolute no-go.

“I firmly appeal to military decision-makers to abstain from any action violating the basic principles that protect nuclear facilities.

“Although the damage at unit 6 has not compromised nuclear safety, this was a serious incident that had the potential to undermine the integrity of the reactor’s containment system.”

The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, has been a point of contention since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The facility was rapidly captured by Russian forces and has since been a hotspot in the conflict.