Ukrainian forces attack radiation monitoring lab of nuclear power plant
Moscow, May 3
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant's external radiation monitoring laboratory was attacked by Ukrainian forces with a drone, media reported on Sunday.
According to the station management's statement, "No critical damage to equipment was found, and there were no injuries as well," reported the state-owned Russian news agency TASS.
"The Ukrainian Armed Forces are posing a threat to the radiation safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. This afternoon, the Ukrainian Armed Forces carried out a drone attack on the external radiation monitoring laboratory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant," the statement said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that it was informed regarding the attack by the power plant regarding a drone targeting its External Radiation Control Laboratory (ECRL).
The IAEA said that their team at the site has requested access to the lab, and it also mentioned that Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA Director General, reiterated "that any attacks near nuclear sites can pose nuclear safety risks".
According to the report, the laboratory ensures continuous monitoring of the radiation situation around the plant site, controls meteorological parameters, and collects data necessary for predicting possible response scenarios in the event of emergency situations with radiation consequences.
"Such actions pose a threat not only to nuclear safety but also to the radiation monitoring system, which could impact the timeliness of assessment and response," the station management said.
Last month, a driver at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was killed in a Ukrainian Armed Forces drone strike on the transport workshop.
The power plant reported attacks in the surrounding area and in its satellite town of Energodar.
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, and also among the 10 largest nuclear power plants in the world
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from India who remembers the Bhopal gas tragedy and Fukushima, this makes my blood run cold. Nuclear safety is not a joke. Whether it's the Russians or Ukrainians, they need to stop treating this plant like a battlefield trophy and start acting responsibly. Lives are at stake.
Glad no one was hurt and no critical damage occurred. But this is still a serious provocation. The IAEA should be given unrestricted access immediately to verify the situation and ensure monitoring is restored. Every drone attack near a nuclear site is a potential disaster waiting to happen.
I'm honestly tired of both sides using civilian infrastructure as military targets. The lab wasn't even a military asset - it purely monitors radiation for public safety. This is not how wars should be fought. India has always advocated for dialogue and de-escalation. Hope sense prevails soon.
The fact that this plant has been under attack repeatedly is terrifying. Even if this specific attack failed, the cumulative risk increases with every strike. The IAEA needs more authority to protect nuclear sites during conflicts. We can't afford another Chernobyl or Fukushima. 🙏
It's alarming that there was a drone attack on the radiation monitoring lab. While the damage was minimal, the intent to disrupt nuclear safety systems is worrying. I agree with the IAEA Director General - any attack near nuclear sites is a serious safety risk. Immediate international intervention is needed.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.