'Struck by shelling and drones': Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant attacked; explosions reported, smoke spotted

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday reported explosions and visible smoke near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), following an attack on one of the plant’s auxiliary facilities. According to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, the agency's team at the ZNPP heard blasts and observed smoke emanating from a nearby area, which was struck by shelling and drones, according to officials. “The IAEA team was informed by the ZNPP that the facility was struck by shelling and drones from 9 am, around the same time as the team could hear military activity,” Grossi said. The auxiliary facility is situated approximately 1,200 metres from the perimeter of the nuclear plant. The IAEA team on the ground reported that smoke from the location was still visible in the afternoon.“Any attack in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant – regardless of the intended target – poses potential risks also for nuclear safety and must be avoided. Once again, I call for maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities to prevent the continued risk of a nuclear accident,” said Grossi. This incident underscores persistent threats to nuclear safety amid ongoing military conflict in the region.