IAEA concerned about ‘deterioration’ of security at Zaporizhia plant after drone strike nearby

Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Ukraine were informed of a detonation near the plant on Saturday, August 17, and immediately went to the scene, the UN agency said in a statement. According to them, the damage “appear to have been caused by a drone equipped with an explosive charge”which hit the road between the two main gates of the factory. Russia blames Ukraine.

“Once again, we see an escalation of nuclear safety and security dangers facing the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant”warned the IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi. “nuclear safety situation” on the site of the power plant “deteriorated”the agency adds. The Zaporizhia plant has been occupied by the Russians since March 2022. It is located in Energodar, on the south bank of the Dnieper, a river that serves as a natural front line between the warring parties. The plant has been the target of repeated attacks, of which Russians and Ukrainians accuse each other.

Last week, the IAEA team on site reported military activity “intense” very close to the power plant, the press release added. “The team heard frequent explosions, repetitive fire from heavy machine guns, rifles and artillery at different distances from the factory”the IAEA director is concerned. A fire broke out on August 11 in a cooling tower at the plant. IAEA experts were able to visit the base of the tower, but requested broader access to assess the situation. The fire caused “considerable damage”but without an immediate threat to nuclear security, according to the IAEA.