IAEA reports explosions at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia NPP: Details
Photo: Zaporizhzhia NPP (wikimedia org)
The International Atomic Energy Agency has recorded another series of explosions at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is under Russian occupation. This is the fourth such incident since the beginning of the year, says IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
According to him, a team of observers working directly at the station recorded a series of shots and explosions near the facility.
The incident occurred at noon on June 5. Between 11:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Kyiv time, at least 5 explosions were heard, each preceded by gunshots. Additional gunfire was heard after 2 p.m. Kyiv time. According to the ZNPP, these were measures to neutralize drones near the station's training center.
"Drones flying close to nuclear power plants could threaten their safety and security, with potentially serious consequences. As I have stated repeatedly during the war, such incidents must stop immediately," Grossi emphasized.
The source or affiliation of the drones is currently unknown. There have been no reports of damage to facilities or injuries.
The IAEA emphasizes that this is the fourth time since the beginning of 2025 that the ZNPP training center has been targeted. In particular, in April, the agency's observers were forced to temporarily leave their workplaces due to Russian shelling near the main administrative building.
Situation at Zaporizhzhya NPP
Russian troops seized Zaporizhzhya NPP at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Russians have been systematically violating the standards of safe operation of the nuclear facility, which creates a constant threat of a man-made disaster. They have deployed military equipment and personnel on the territory of the station.
On June 3, Grossi arrived in Ukraine and met with Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.
During a one-day visit to Kyiv, the IAEA director general said that threats to nuclear safety in Ukraine remain real and constant amid intensified Russian air attacks.
