An armored vehicle belonging to the United Nations’ atomic watchdog was struck by a drone attack on its way to inspect the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine on Tuesday. As per the report received by Leaders team, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of being behind the attack, which occurred amid heightened fears of a nuclear disaster in the ongoing war.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the strike destroyed the rear section of the armored vehicle, but the two occupants were unharmed. “The driver of a second IAEA vehicle in the convoy saw the kamikaze drone approaching from behind before it struck the targeted vehicle,” the agency stated.
Zelensky shared an image of the damaged vehicle on the platform X, asserting that the attack was intentional. “This attack clearly demonstrates how Russia disregards international law, global institutions, and safety. The Russians could not have been unaware of their target,” he said.
Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry claimed it had ensured the safety of the IAEA personnel on their way to the plant but made no mention of the drone strike.
The IAEA’s Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, condemned the incident, stating, “Attacking a nuclear power plant is unacceptable. Attacking those who work to safeguard nuclear safety and security is equally intolerable.”
According to the sources of Leaders team, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, located in southern Ukraine, has been under Russian control since March 2022. The facility has been a focal point of concern since fierce fighting erupted near it early in the war, sparking fears of a nuclear catastrophe. Since then, the IAEA has raised alarms over persistent threats to the plant’s safety, citing shelling, airstrikes, power disruptions, staffing shortages, and poor working conditions.
Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of using the plant as a shield for troops and heavy weaponry, further escalating the risks. Despite the drone strike, IAEA personnel successfully reached the facility to conduct a staff rotation, continuing their mission to safeguard the plant.
This incident underscores the ongoing dangers faced by international observers and the escalating stakes surrounding one of the world’s most precarious nuclear sites.
