Three drones attack substation near Zaporizhzhia NPP, resulting in injuries - IAEA

As noted by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, these repeated drone attacks pose a threat to nuclear safety and human life and must be stopped.

IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant reported seeing dense smoke and hearing explosions from the distribution device after drones were reported to have struck a nearby forest. The substation affected is located outside the main site of the nuclear power plant. Currently, IAEA experts have not reported any consequences within the plant grounds.

Later, IAEA representatives were informed that three drone strikes occurred near the city of Energodar, targeting one of the electrical substations and injuring eight workers, one of whom required medical assistance. The probable strike also caused oil leakage from at least one of the two transformers at the substation, damaged the upper part of one transformer, and affected a connecting line.

As a result, the Raduga substation is currently out of operation, but Energodar and the nearby industrial zone are still receiving electricity. Substations are critical components of the electricity production, transmission, and distribution system.

Іituation with Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP)

Located in Enerhodar, Zaporizhzhia region, ZNPP was occupied during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Russia has disregarded safety measures, maintained equipment, and kept personnel at the station.

As a result, ZNPP has repeatedly been disconnected from Ukraine's power grid. Additional danger to the station was posed by the detonation of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant by Russian forces on June 6, 2023.

Recently, due to shelling and fire, the external radiation monitoring station near ZNPP was destroyed.