IAEA experts have recorded damage to the exterior of a turbine building at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant that was reportedly caused by a drone strike. The agency stressed that attacks on nuclear facilities are unacceptable and pose a risk of a nuclear accident.
The International Atomic Energy Agency announced the findings on May 31.
According to the agency, the IAEA team stationed at the Zaporizhzhia plant inspected damage to a turbine building that plant officials said had been struck by a drone the previous day.
During the inspection, the team observed damage to a metal access hatch located several levels up in the building, as well as debris and burned remnants of optical fiber on the ground.
The IAEA said its observations were consistent with the impact of a drone.
The agency has also requested access to the interior of the building for further examination, noting that the structure is located immediately adjacent to Reactor Unit 6.
During the site walkdown, members of the mission were instructed to take shelter after hearing drones nearby and gunfire aimed at repelling them.
Despite the incident, the team confirmed using its measuring equipment that radiation levels at the site remain normal.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi described the strike as a serious incident that endangered key nuclear safety principles.
“Attacks on nuclear sites are unacceptable and must stop in order to prevent the very real risk of a nuclear accident that would benefit no one,” Grossi said.
