IAEA condemns deadly drone strikes near Ukraine nuclear plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that two power plant employees were killed in separate drone attacks near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant, prompting its chief to condemn the strikes and warn of threats to nuclear safety.

In a statement on X on Thursday, the UN nuclear watchdog said on Monday it had been informed that “one employee of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was killed in a drone attack today, in the latest incident affecting plant personnel and further endangering nuclear safety and security during the military conflict.”

“Separately today, an employee of the nearby Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant was also killed by a drone,” it added.

The incidents followed reports that another employee of the nuclear facility had been killed in a drone strike several days earlier.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi “strongly” condemned the “unacceptable” attacks in the post, describing them as violations of essential nuclear safety pillars.

He called for an immediate halt to attacks targeting nuclear plant workers.

Grossi also stressed that personnel must be able to perform their duties without “undue stress or fear.”

TRT World / Anadolu Agency — TRT World / Anadolu Agency

Photo: Anadolu Ajansı