UN nuclear watchdog sets emergency meeting as Russia, Ukraine exchange barbs of drones over Zaporizhzhia
A view of the Russia-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
After three days of back-to-back attacks on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant that Russia blamed on Ukraine, the UN nuclear watchdog's Board of Governors will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday (April 11).
Ukraine has denied Russian claims that Kyiv has been attacking the nuclear power plant now controlled by Moscow.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that a drone hit the nuclear plant, and has damaged one reactor building. It, however, did not specify who was behind the attacks but demanded such attacks to stop.
"I hereby notify the Members of the Board that a meeting of the Board has been arranged as follows: 3 p.m. (1300 GMT) on Thursday, 11 April 2024," the note said.
Russian and Ukrainian letters were attached to the chairperson's note. Russia said it wanted a meeting on "the recent attacks and provocations of the armed forces of Ukraine" against Zaporizhzhia. Kyiv said it wanted to discuss "the situation in Ukraine and the safety, security and safeguards implications".
Zaporizhzhia attacks: What has happened in recent days?
Russia has accused Ukraine of deliberately carrying out a series of attacks against the nuclear plant. Moscow has said that Kyiv used "self-exploding" drones to attack Zaporizhzhia.
Ukrainian officials have denied having any role in the strikes.
"The incidents at ZNPP are also a form of Russian nuclear blackmail aimed at both Ukraine and the international community,"a Ukrainian government agency earlier this week onMonday.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned Ukraine’s denial of involvement and said the drone attack is "a very dangerous practice that has very bad, negative consequences."
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"Shelling of Zaporizhzhia NPP and its infrastructure is unacceptable. No nuclear power plant in the world is designed to withstand full-fledged fire from the armed forces," he said,using an acronym for the nuclear power plant.
"Damage to infrastructure facilities may affect the safe operation of the NPP," the statement added.
(With inputs from agencies)