Ukraine reports an attack on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant

The Ukrainian Government has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from an incident caused by a bombing on Saturday near the dry spent fuel storage facility on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant that would have caused “some damage” although without influencing the radiation in the area.

As detailed by the IAEA in a statement, the event occurred a day after a previous bombing would damage the external power supply system of the plant, also injuring a Ukrainian security guard at the plant, which is located in the southeast of the country.

The explosion also damaged walls, a roof and windows in the storage facility area of spent fuel, as well as communication cables that are part of its radiation control system, with a possible impact on the operation of three radiation detection sensors, Ukraine has informed the IAEA.

However, from Ukraine they have ensured that there has been no visible damage to the containers with spent nuclear fuel or in the protection perimeter of the facility.

“Based on information provided by Ukraine, IAEA experts have assessed that there is no immediate threat to nuclear security as a result of Saturday’s incident”, the general director of the organization, Rafael Grossi, later detailed.

“However, the bombing on Friday and Saturday at the Zaporizhia power plant has breached practically all the seven pillars essential safety and nuclear protection that the director general outlined at the beginning of the conflict,” reads the statement released by the IAEA.

Between the “indispensable pillars” unfulfilled, there are those related to the physical integrity of the nuclear power plant, the operation of safety and security systems, as well as the care of personnel and external power sources.

Grossi has reiterated his “serious concern” for the situation at the plant and has urged that “any military action endanger nuclear safety.

It has also insisted on the need for an IAEA expert mission go to the plant “as soon as possible” to help stabilize the nuclear safety and security situation.

Zaporizhia facilities were the target of an attack last week that cut part of the electrical connections of the plant and of which Russia and Ukraine have accused each other. The Russian Administration has confirmed that the damaged units of the reactor have been repaired and the plant is operating normally.

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The Ukrainian authorities have warned this Tuesday that the consequences of a hypothetical nuclear catastrophe in Zaporizhia would be up to ten times greater than those experienced by the Chernobyl accident.

The Russian Army seized the facilities of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in early March, one of the largest in Europeand that in the first stages of the war it was already the scene of intense clashes.