Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant reports drone strike on reactor

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed a claim that drones had struck the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine on Sunday.

The Russian-appointed management of the plant had reported an attack on one of the reactor’s domes earlier on Sunday, though it stressed that there had been no critical damage to the facility.

Russia’s atomic energy agency Rosatom, which has managed the facility since it was captured by Russian forces in March 2022, said that three plant employees had been injured when at least three drone strikes attacked the site.

“Background radiation at the plant and the surrounding area has not changed and is at a level corresponding to the normal operation of power units and does not exceed natural background natural values,” the station said, adding that Rosatom had “condemned the attack” and had “called on the IAEA leadership as well as EU governments to immediately respond to the incident."

IAEA head Rafael Grossi confirmed that a drone had exploded at the plant, but did not specify which country’s military had launched the attack.

Ukraine has not yet commented on the Russian accusations.