The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called on Russia and Ukraine to exercise “maximum restraint” following Russian reports of a Ukrainian drone allegedly striking an access road to the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has called Moscow's accusations a “wave of crazy Russian propaganda”
The Russian management of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, which the Russians occupied shortly after the attack, reported the drone strike. Ukraine. It said a Ukrainian drone allegedly dropped an explosive device on a road used by workers. Moscow and Kiev have repeatedly accused each other of trying to sabotage the facility and increasing threats.
– We remain extremely concerned. I reiterate my appeal for maximum restraint by all parties and for strict compliance with the five specific principles established to protect the plant – the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency responded (IAEA) Rafael Grossi. – Once again we see an escalation of threats (…) facing the power plant – he added.
According to the Agency, the impact site was near the power plant's cooling installation and about 100 meters from the power line.
View of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant Ihor Bondarenko/Shutterstock
The agency carried out an inspection
An IAEA team inspected the area Saturday and said the damage was caused by a drone carrying an explosive device. The agency's report said there was no damage to the plant's facilities and no one was injured. The impact occurred on a road between the plant's two main gates.
Moscow wants to discuss the attack on the Zaporozhye power plant with the IAEA, the Russian news agency RIA reported, citing Roman Ustinov, acting representative of the IAEA. Russia in Vienna.
At the same time – the Ukrainian portal Kyiv Independent recalled – the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine last week of planning “an attack on the Kursk nuclear power plant” and threatened to “take decisive retaliatory military action.”
Ukraine denies
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry denied Moscow's accusations, and Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhiy called them “a wave of crazy Russian propaganda.”
“We officially reject these false reports. Ukraine has neither the intention nor the ability to carry out such actions. Russia must stop spreading dangerous lies,” the Ukrainian spokesman said.
Main image source: Ihor Bondarenko/Shutterstock