The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says a series of drone attacks in recent weeks has threatened the nuclear safety of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.
This was stated in an IAEA statement.
According to the agency, strikes were carried out on 19, 20 and 27 September against the nearby Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant. The attacks damaged transformers that are crucial for supplying external power to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.
The plant has repeatedly lost external power supplies during the war.
To carry out the necessary repair work at the Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi is holding talks with both sides on a new localised ceasefire. It is planned to be introduced as soon as possible.
This would be the eighth localised ceasefire to restore external power supplies to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.
In addition, on 22 September a radiation monitoring station outside the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant site was put out of action. This reduced the ability to monitor radiation levels near the plant.
"Attacks that pose a threat to nuclear safety and security remain absolutely unacceptable and must stop immediately. To prevent the risk of a nuclear accident during conflict, all sides must exercise maximum military restraint near such facilities and their energy infrastructure," Grossi said.
- Russia has effectively turned the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar into its own military base.
- At the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, where all six nuclear reactors are in a state of “cold shutdown”, the Russian army has deployed military equipment directly in the turbine halls of power units 1, 2, 5 and 6.