The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called on Russia and Ukraine for “maximum restraint” following Russian reports that a Ukrainian drone had hit the access road to the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.
Once again we see escalation of threats (…) in front of the plant – said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. The “Russian management” of the Zaporozhian Nuclear Power Plant (the Russians occupied it right after the attack on Ukraine) reported the drone attack.
A Ukrainian drone was supposed to drop an explosive on the roadused by employees – Reuters reported.
Moscow and Kiev have repeatedly accused each other of trying to sabotage the operation of the facilities and escalating threats.
We remain extremely concerned. I reiterate my call for maximum restraint by all parties and strict adherence to the five specific principles established to protect the plant – emphasized Grossi.
According to the IAEA, the impact site was close to a facility related to the cooling of the power plant and about 100 meters from a power line, the IAEA said. An IAEA team inspected the area on Saturday and said the damage was caused by a drone equipped with an explosive device. The agency’s report stated that the plant facilities were not damaged and no one was injured. There was an impact on the road between the two main gates of the plant.
“Moscow wants to discuss the attack on the Zaporozhye plant with the IAEA,” Russian news agency RIA reported, citing Roman Ustinov, Russia’s acting representative in Vienna.
At the same time – the Ukrainian website Kyiv Independent recalled – last week the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of planning “an attack on the Kursk nuclear power plant” and threatened “to take decisive retaliatory military actions”. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry denied Moscow’s accusations, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tychy calling them a “wave of crazy Russian propaganda.”.
We officially reject these false reports. Ukraine has neither the intention nor the capacity to carry out such actions. Russia must stop spreading dangerous lies – said the Ukrainian spokesman.
