IAEA: Drone attack threatens power supply to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency stated on October 3 local time that multiple drone attacks have occurred around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in recent weeks, damaging some critical power supply facilities and further threatening the safety of the nuclear power plant. Currently, the IAEA is coordinating with both Russia and Ukraine on a new round of localized ceasefire to carry out repair work. The IAEA said that on September 19, 20, and 27, the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was attacked, and multiple transformers critical to the external power supply of the nuclear power plant were damaged. To repair the damaged facilities, IAEA Director General Grossi is negotiating a new localized ceasefire arrangement with both Russia and Ukraine, and hopes it will take effect as soon as possible. If reached, this would be the eighth localized ceasefire facilitated by the IAEA to ensure the external power supply of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. In addition, according to the agency's report, an attack on September 22 caused an external radiation monitoring station near the nuclear power plant to stop operating, reducing the local capacity to monitor radiation levels. Grossi stated that attacks endangering nuclear safety and security are unacceptable, and called on all parties to exercise maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities and their power supply infrastructure.