Drone attack near Zaporizhzhia plant draws response from IAEA
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (photo: Getty Images)
A drone attacked an external radiation control laboratory near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. No casualties have been reported, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Incident details
The IAEA says the drone targeted the external radiation control laboratory (ERCL), which is located beyond the plant's perimeter.
It is currently unclear whether the laboratory was damaged in the strike.
IAEA response
The agency team on-site has already requested access to the laboratory.
Director General Rafael Grossi condemned the attack and stressed the risks to nuclear facilities.
"Any attacks near nuclear sites can pose nuclear safety risks," Grossi said.
Note that the IAEA regularly reports threats to Ukraine's nuclear and energy infrastructure, which it suffers due to ongoing hostilities, and is increasing its presence to monitor safety conditions.
In particular, in spring 2026, a drone strike near the Zaporizhzhia plant killed a driver when the attack hit a transport workshop near the plant site, once again highlighting the risks to personnel.
To assess the condition of critical infrastructure vital for nuclear plant operations, the IAEA has sent a mission to Ukraine to inspect nuclear power plant substations. This is the agency's seventh such mission.
In addition, following attacks on energy facilities, the IAEA has stepped up monitoring at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant after damage to the shelter structure caused by a Shahed drone. The agency deployed additional experts to assess the safety of the damaged New Safe Confinement (NSC).
