The UN's nuclear watchdog has warned that the safety situation at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is deteriorating after a drone strike near the facility. Russia accused Ukraine of dropping an explosive charge on a road close to the occupied plant in southern Ukraine.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts on site were informed of the detonation on Saturday and visited the area, reporting damage that appeared to have been caused by a drone equipped with an explosive payload. The explosion affected the road between the plant's two main gates.
IAEA head Rafael Grossi expressed extreme concern, reiterating the call for maximum restraint from all sides. The agency noted that the nuclear safety situation was 'deteriorating' and reported intense military activity in the area over the past week, including frequent explosions, heavy machine-gun fire, and artillery.
The plant, seized by Russian forces early in the war, has been repeatedly targeted. Last weekend, a fire broke out at a cooling tower, causing considerable damage but no immediate nuclear safety threat. IAEA experts have requested further access to assess the situation.
