Explosions and machine gun fire sound near Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP – IAEA staff

The IAEA representatives heard loud explosions and machine-gun fire emanating from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

The IAEA reported that.

The explosions were heard at around 12:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

According to the IAEA, there were no casualties or injuries, and no damage to the plant's equipment occurred.

According to experts from the IAEA mission, the intensity of military operations near the ZNPP has increased over the past day.

"An attack on any nuclear power plant is completely unacceptable. In light of the increased military activity at ZNPP, I once again call for maximum restraint to avert the clear danger to its safety. For the strict adherence to the five concrete principles established by the IAEA at the United Nations Security Council to protect the facility and the seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety during an armed conflict also defined by the IAEA," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said.

It should be noted that in November, the Zaporizhzhia NPP was on the verge of a blackout three times due to shelling by Russian troops, which damaged power lines.

For reference:

It is worth mentioning that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the biggest in Europe and was seized in the initial weeks of the full-scale Russian invasion.

The Russians turned the nuclear power plant into a military base, where troops and equipment were stationed. They also placed mines around the perimeter. Ukrainian workers are employed at the plant, but the Russians have brought in their own "managers" from Moscow. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is also overseeing the ZNPP.

In the spring of 2024, it was revealed that the Russians had established a military base on the ZNPP's territory. Among the soldiers present were members of the Chechen unit of the Russian Guard, known as "Akhmat." The invaders had also established a military unit for the Russian Guard within the occupied ZNPP area.

On September 20, the IAEA adopted a resolution on nuclear safety in Ukraine at its general conference. Russia was called upon to immediately de-occupy the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

On November 17, Russian invaders purposefully attacked critical substations that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has identified as essential for the safe operation of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

The situation on November 21 became particularly alarming when the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP was on the verge of a blackout for the second time in a week due to shelling.

On November 21, one of the two power lines at the Zaporizhzhia NPP was de-energized due to Russian shelling. The station is currently connected to the Ukrainian power system by only one power transmission line. If the last line at the Zaporizhzhia NPP is disconnected, another complete blackout will occur.

It should be noted that starting on November 17, the Russians attacked Ukrainian energy sector facilities with various types of air-, land- and sea-based missiles, as well as Shahed-type strike drones.

During the massive missile attack on Ukraine, Russian troops struck several DTEK [the largest private investor in the energy sector of Ukraine – ed.] thermal power plants, causing severe damage to energy equipment.