Reports from the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear station in Ukraine indicate that a dome above a shutdown reactor has been struck, as confirmed by the plant’s administration.
The details of the weapon used in the recent attack on the nuclear plant remain unclear, following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces in 2022. The Russian state-owned nuclear agency Rosatom mentioned that the site was targeted in a drone attack.
Despite the attack, radiation levels were reported to be normal, and officials stated that there was no significant damage. However, Rosatom later revealed that three individuals were injured in a drone strike near the plant’s canteen.
With experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) present at the site, the agency confirmed that a drone had detonated at the location, aligning with their own observations. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized the importance of upholding nuclear safety standards amidst the ongoing conflict.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, known as the largest in Europe, houses six Soviet-designed reactors with uranium-235. Reactors one, two, five, and six are in cold shutdown, while reactor three is undergoing repairs and reactor four is in a “hot shutdown” state.
Situated near the front lines, the plant has been at the center of accusations from both Ukraine and Russia regarding attacks that could potentially lead to a nuclear catastrophe.
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Original article available at www.aljazeera.com rnrn