The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on Saturday, August 2, that its monitoring team at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) observed explosions and smoke coming from a nearby area. According to the agency, one of the plant’s auxiliary facilities was struck during the incident. Although the reactors themselves remained undamaged, the situation has heightened global concerns over nuclear safety.
“The impacted auxiliary building is located approximately 1,200 meters outside the plant’s perimeter. Smoke was still visible from the site later in the afternoon,” the IAEA said in its statement. Zaporizhzhia is Europe’s largest nuclear power facility and ranks among the top ten largest globally.
Further reports indicated that a civilian lost their life due to shelling near the plant. According to the plant’s operator, Ukrainian artillery hit an industrial zone close to the facility, igniting a fire. A civilian car unrelated to plant operations was found damaged at the site, with one person confirmed dead inside the vehicle. Firefighters responding to the blaze were reportedly targeted by a Ukrainian drone while using a fire truck.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reiterated his urgent appeal: “I once again urge maximum military restraint around nuclear sites to avoid any risk of a nuclear incident.”
In related developments, Russia carried out a missile strike on Kyiv early Sunday morning. The capital’s military authorities confirmed the attack, which caused a powerful explosion just after midnight, shaking buildings across the city.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone strike reportedly set fire to an oil depot in the Russian city of Sochi, regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev confirmed.
