Ukraine war: Safety at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is deteriorating, UN agency warns
File photo of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is the nuclear watchdog of the United Nations (UN), warned on Saturday (Aug 17) that the safety situation at Ukraine'sZaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was “deteriorating” after a nearby drone strike.
The plant, which was seized by Russia’s forces early in the war, has come under repeated attacks that both sides have accused each other of carrying out.
Earlier on Saturday, Russia accused Ukraine ofdropping an explosive charge on a road near the occupied plant in southern Ukraine, a report by the news agency AFP said.
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IAEA calls for maximum restraint from all sides
IAEA experts on the sitewere informed of the detonation near essential plant facilities on Saturday and immediately visited the area, the agency said in a statement.
Experts reported that the damage seemed to have been caused by a drone equipped with an explosive payload, affecting the road between the plant's two main gates.
“Yet again we see an escalation of the nuclear safety and security dangers facing the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant,” the IAEA head, Rafael Grossi, said in the statement.
“I remain extremely concerned and reiterate my call for maximum restraint from all sides,” he added.
The UN watchdog also pointed out that the nuclear safety situation at the plant wasdeteriorating.
Intense military activity reported near the plant
The IAEA team on site also reported intense military activityover the past week in the area, including very close to the Zaporizhzhia plant. “The team has heard frequent explosions, repetitive heavy machine-gun and rifle fire and artillery at various distances from the plant,” it said.
Since the Ukraine war began in late February 2022,the IAEA has repeatedly urged restraint, saying it fears reckless military action could trigger a serious nuclear accident at the plant.
Last weekend,Kyiv and Moscow traded blame after a fire broke out at a cooling tower at the plant.
(With inputs from agencies)