Employees of the International Atomic Energy Agency reported loud explosions on January 5 near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
According to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, the explosions coincided with reports of a drone attack on the station's training center, creating an additional threat to nuclear safety at Europe's largest nuclear power plant.
It is noted that the IAEA mission team, working at the ZNPP, recorded two loud explosions outside the station's territory on January 5. The team also reported repeatedly hearing machine gun fire.
The statement on the official website says that there were no casualties and the NPP equipment was not damaged.
At the same time, IAEA experts noted that the intensity of military actions near the largest nuclear power plant in Europe — including numerous explosions at various distances from the site — has increased over the last 24 hours. “An attack on any nuclear power plant is completely unacceptable,” said Director General Grossi.
“In light of the increased military activity at the ZNPP, I once again call for maximum restraint to prevent a clear threat to its safety, and for strict adherence to the five specific principles established by the IAEA in the UN Security Council to protect the facility, and the seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety during armed conflict, also defined by the IAEA,” concluded Grossi.