Russia Accuses Ukraine of Shelling Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant

Russia yesterday accused Ukraine of shelling the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which resulted in a fire in the area of one of the cooling towers. According to an official statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, an attack by a Ukrainian drone last night caused the fire. It said that Russia will insist that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) identify the perpetrator of the attack. 

Meanwhile, the IAEA



stated that its experts at ZNPP witnessed thick, dark smoke coming from the plant after hearing multiple explosions last evening. According to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, damage to the cooling towers does not directly impact the safety of the six units in shutdown. However, any kind of fire on the site or in its vicinity represents a risk of spreading to facilities essential for safety.