A drone crashed into an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) vehicle on a Russian-controlled road leading from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, causing serious damage. Rafael Grossi, head of the UN force, said on social media that no one was injured and the team was safe.
“I condemn in the strongest terms this attack on IAEA personnel,” he stressed in a recording posted on the X Platform.
He added that any strike against nuclear power plants and their workers to prevent a nuclear accident in an ongoing armed conflict would be “even more unacceptable.” However, Rafael Grossi did not identify those responsible for the act.
Ukraine. IAEA vehicle comes under fire. Volodymyr Zelensky slams Russia
A document presented by the IAEA chief shows a photo of a car clearly bearing the International Atomic Energy Agency symbol. Photos and other videos posted online show the trunk lid and entire rear of the vehicle to be severely damaged.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the attack was a deliberate move by Russia. In his opinion, this is evidence of the Kremlin's complete disregard for security, international law and global institutions. “There is no way the Russians were unaware of their goals. They knew exactly what they were doing,” the Ukrainian leader wrote.
“This attack requires a clear and decisive response from both the IAEA and other international partners. Silence or inaction will only encourage further violations,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
Moscow is silent about the incident. Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Russian hands
The Kremlin has not commented on the situation. Russia's National Guard posted on social media that the Russian military supervised the rotation of IAEA personnel and ensured their safety, but did not mention the incident.
Russian forensic experts working at the scene inspected the area for possible unexploded ordnance. These were discovered and are believed to have been the remains of Ukrainian artillery fire.
Russia took over the Zaporizhzhia power plant, Europe's largest nuclear power plant, in March 2022, immediately after invading Ukraine. Russian soldiers and employees of the Kremlin-owned state corporation Rosatom are stationed at the reactor, which remains shut down.
Both Ukraine and Russia continually accuse the other of shelling nuclear power plants and threatening nuclear security.
Source: Reuters, X, Telegram
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