For the fourth time since the beginning of the year, the training centre at the Zaporizhia NPP (ZNPP) has been attacked by Ukrainian drones, ZNPP said on its Telegram channel. “The training centre (UTTs – Uchebno Trenirovochnii Tsentr) at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant was attacked with the use of drones. The enemy used three unmanned aerial vehicles,” the plant reported.
“This is the world’s only full-scale reactor hall simulator and is critical for staff training. The impact occurred approximately 250-300 metres away from the plant’s first power unit,” the report states.
However, there was no fire, and no critical damage was recorded. “ZNPP continues to operate normally, taking all necessary precautions. The safety of the plant’s operation is ensured,” the report said. The training centre was attacked previously on 5 January, 21 May, and 5 June. A Ukrainian drone was also “neutralised” near the building on 17 April.
In June, drones attacked a group of ZNPP employees in the place where work was being carried out on hydraulic structures. The station employees were able to take cover and were not injured but several service vehicles were damaged.
Plant Director Yuri Chernichuk said: “The station’s personnel were not injured as a result of the attack. The extent of the damage and losses is being assessed by experts.” He added that background radiation was normal, and the staff is working normally.
In its latest update, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team at ZNPP reported hearing hundreds of rounds of small arms fire. “Conducting a site walkdown this morning, they saw numerous small calibre casings lying scattered on the ground near reactor units 5 and 6. There was no sign of broken windows or other physical damage.”
“Such military activity at or near a major nuclear power plant is clearly unacceptable,” said Director General Rafael Grossi. IAEA said the shooting came after “a series of purported attacks and other incidents involving drones near the ZNPP … in recent months, including a report of a strike a few days ago in the city of Energodar, where most ZNPP staff live. Grossi reiterated his “deep concern about the apparent increased use of drones near nuclear power plants since early this year, saying such weaponry posed a clear risk to nuclear safety and security”.
