The United Nations’ nuclear agency has confirmed that there was no immediate danger to Europe’s largest atomic power station in Ukraine, despite an explosion reportedly caused by a drone attack. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is mindful of the significant circumstances under which the plant currently operates.
It was disclosed to the IAEA that the explosion occurred at a training establishment within the facility’s vicinity on Tuesday, resulting from an alleged drone operation. Details about the incident were scarce in the public announcement by the IAEA, which inferred that the source of the report was the Russians who have been operating and controlling the plant since the early phases of the war.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, one of the world’s top ten largest atomic establishments, is at the centre of concern, as conflict in Ukraine’s south fuels fears of a possible nuclear catastrophe reminiscent of the Chernobyl incident in 1986, which led to a reactor exploding and releasing lethal radiation over a wide area.
The war front in eastern and southern Ukraine has seen little notable progress from either side in recent times. The military stalemate involves heavy use of drones, artillery, and missiles. Reciprocal allegations over the Zaporizhzhia plant have been thrown between Russia and Ukraine. Russia accused Kyiv of enacting drone attacks the previous day, while Ukraine accused Russia of spreading false information.
In its recent update on Sunday, the IAEA noted that its inspectors had witnessed “the physical impact of drone detonations” and had seen “Russian troops engage what appeared to be an incoming drone”. Ukraine’s nuclear power plant operator, Energoatom, denounced the latest accusations made by Russia on Tuesday, accusing Moscow of spreading “propaganda” and “falsehoods” to influence public sentiment.
Energoatom noted the deployment of Russian soldiers and landmines at the facility, one of four nuclear plants in Ukraine, with the remaining three under Ukrainian control. Energoatom called for an end to the “dangerous game” being played by the Russian forces at the atomic site.
While the IAEA assured that the facility was not compromised by the latest strikes, it has been vocal about its concern regarding the plant amidst worries over a possible nuclear disaster. The plant’s six reactors have remained closed for several months; nonetheless, there is a need for power and technically adept personnel to manage vital cooling systems and other safety measures.
Ukrainian emergency services disclosed that a nuclear catastrophe would necessitate the removal of around 300,000 residents.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s spy agency maintained this Tuesday that an aviation training hub in the southwestern part of Russia was hit by a drone, controlled by their forces. Moreover, the authorities implied that a fire incident that occurred in a Russian Navy corvette situated on the Baltic coast was not a mere mishap.
These assertions couldn’t be independently authenticated or confirmed. The Russian officials remained tight-lipped about these allegations. – AP