Russia alleges Ukraine attacked Europe’s largest nuclear power plant on Sunday, April 7, resulting in one death and several injuries, a claim Ukraine denies. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, situated in one of the four regions annexed by Russia after its 2022 invasion, reportedly suffered three drone strikes, with one hitting the dome of a reactor.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the incident “a very dangerous provocation,” noting that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) staff present could witness the attacks.
He warned of serious long-term consequences and accused Kyiv of continuing “its terrorist activity.”
The IAEA confirmed the strikes but did not attribute blame. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi condemned the drone strike for having no military or political benefits and reassured that nuclear safety was not compromised, urging military decision-makers to protect nuclear facilities.
Last month, an IAEA team heard daily explosions for a week at the Zaporizhzhia plant but this is Ukraine’s first successful attack since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Russia’s state-run nuclear agency indicated the reactor’s containment structures, designed to withstand a small plane crash, face little risk from minor attacks.
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