- IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi calls for an immediate halt to drone attacks near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant due to safety risks and injuries to personnel.
- The Zaporizhzhia plant, under Russian control since March 2022, has experienced multiple drone strikes causing fires, power outages, and damage to infrastructure.
- Continued attacks threaten the plant’s nuclear safety, relying on a single power line for reactor cooling and essential functions.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has urged an immediate cessation of drone attacks near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, citing reports of injuries to plant personnel and the initiation of forest fires.
“It is extremely concerning that these drone attacks are continuing, despite the very clear dangers they present to people in Enerhodar as well as to safety at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. They must stop immediately,” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is Europe’s largest nuclear power station and it has been under Russian military control since early March 2022. IAEA experts had been based at the nuclear plant on rotation since September 2022, however, Russian authorities continue to refuse IAEA inspectors complete access to the facility.
IAAEA experts stationed at the plant observed thick smoke and heard explosions near the plant’s 750 kilovolt switchyard. They were informed that drones had struck a nearby forest, causing fire in windy conditions. Firefighters were actively engaged in controlling the fire. It’s important to note that the switchyard is located outside the main site of the Zaporizhzhia plant. As of now, the IAEA experts have not reported any impact on the plant itself.
On July 3, three drone strikes near the town of Energodar targeted one of its electrical substations, resulting in injuries to eight workers and requiring medical treatment, according to the plant. IAEA experts were informed that the purported impact led to an oil leak from at least one transformer at the substation and caused damage to the top of one transformer and a connection line. Consequently, the affected substation, named Raduga, is currently out-of-service. Some of the nearby towns of Energodar, however, Energodar and an adjacent industrial area continue to receive electricity despite the damage.
The IAEA expressed concern that the recent incident poses an additional risk to nuclear safety, as the Zaporizhzhia plant relies on its sole remaining 750 kV power line to supply off-site electricity crucial for cooling its six reactors in cold shutdown and for other essential nuclear safety and security functions. Currently, both the 750 kV power line and a backup 330 kV line are operational, but the situation remains precarious.
Last month, Energodar experienced a 16-hour power outage due to drone strikes on the Raduga and Luch substations, affecting many nuclear power plant staff and their families who reside there. Additionally, in early April, drone strikes also targeted the Zaporizhzhia plant site. In light of the continued drone attacks posing significant risks to nuclear safety and personnel at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the immediate cessation of such activities is imperative to prevent further harm and ensure the stability and security of Europe’s largest nuclear facility.
