Dmitry Peskov/TASS
MINSK, 8 April (BelTA) - Attacks by the Ukrainian military against the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant are a very dangerous provocation, spokesman for the Russian president Dmitry Peskov told reporters, TASS reports
"This is a very dangerous provocation. IAEA staff who are on site have had the opportunity to witness these attacks. This is a very dangerous tactic, fraught with very bad consequences in the long run. The Kiev regime, unfortunately, continues its terrorist activity," the Kremlin spokesman said.
On 7 April 2024, the Ukrainian military launched an unprecedented series of attacks on the Zaporozhye NPP. Ukraine denies any involvement in the incident. Russia said Ukraine was behind the attack that injured three people. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) condemned Sunday's drone strike on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.
The IAEA, that has a team of experts on site in Zaporozhye, confirmed the "physical impact of drone attacks" on the plant, including on one of the reactors. The IAEA said the damage did not jeopardize nuclear safety, but warned that "this is a serious incident that could undermine the integrity of the reactor containment system." The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, called the drone strike "reckless," pointing out that such steps represent "a serious increase in threats to nuclear safety." He firmly appealed to abstain from any action violating the basic principles that protect nuclear facilities.
In its telegram channel the Zaporozhye NPP said that attempts to shell the Zaporozhye NPP by the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue. In particular, today, 8 April, a kamikaze drone of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was shot down over the Zaporozhye NPP. The wreckage of the drone fell on the roof of Power Unit 6o. There were no threats to the ZNPP safety. There were no casualties as a result of this attack. "Unfortunately, despite all the calls on the Armed Forces of Ukraine to stop terrorist acts, the shelling of the station and its infrastructure continues. This can affect the safe operation of the nuclear power plant," NPP workers said.
Russia has never attacked nuclear facilities in Ukraine and does not intend to do that, Russian Permanent Representative to international organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said on the air of the Rossiya 24 TV channel. The diplomat lauded the statement issued by Mr Grossi the day before. However, he also drew attention to the fact that "the IAEA did not dare to directly name the guilty party, to say the attacks were carried out by the Armed Forces of Ukraine."
The six-reactor, six-gigawatt Zaporozhye NPP, located in the city of Energodar, is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
