Drone attack near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant kills one, injures 15
IAEA says workers were hit, reactor production halted due to equipment damage; nuclear safety not compromised
A drone strike near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant killed one worker and wounded 15 others, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported. The agency said the casualties were plant staff or workers hired through subcontractors.
Three of the injured sustained serious wounds, the IAEA added. Because of significant damage to equipment, the plant has completely stopped generating electricity.
IAEA statement and plant director's assessment
The director of the plant described the attack as "the worst the plant has faced," the IAEA said. A device carried by the drone exploded early this morning at a bus stop used by workers on their way to the facility.
The IAEA also reported that, despite the strike and damage to equipment, the nuclear safety of the plant is not compromised.
Russian authorities had earlier reported the attack and accused Ukraine of responsibility; Ukrainian officials had not responded to those claims at the time of the IAEA statement.
Russian forces captured the Zaporizhzhia plant and the nearby city of Enerhodar in March 2022, shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. All six reactors at the site had been shut down for safety reasons.
Photo: EPA/SERGEI ILNITSKY
