Drone strike on Zaporizhzhia NPP: IAEA was not allowed access to site of impact
Illustrative photo: Zaporizhzhia NPP was attacked by a drone on April 18 (Getty Images)
A drone attacked the training center of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) on Thursday, April 18th, according to the IAEA.
As reported by the IAEA, this time there were no damages or human casualties. The monitoring representatives present at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant heard the explosion at 10:35 AM local time.
However, they were denied access to the training center where the explosion likely occurred to assess the extent of the incident.
"It would be the third reported attack targeting the training facility recently, following two such incidents last week. The ZNPP told the IAEA team stationed at the site that today’s drone had been 'neutralized', without giving further details," the statement said.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that so far, drone strikes have not jeopardized nuclear safety at the facility. However, these reckless attacks must be immediately halted.
Occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant by Russia
The largest nuclear power plant in Europe was occupied by Russian troops in the early days of the full-scale invasion. At that time, Russian forces deployed military equipment on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Throughout the entire period of occupation, the station was disconnected from the energy systems of Ukraine.
On April 9 of this year, Russian forces simulated a so-called "drone attack" on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and attempted to blame Ukraine for it. At the same time, the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence warned that Russia has once again initiated a wave of provocations at the station with the aim of discrediting Ukrainian military personnel.
