Rafael Grossi says three direct hits against the main reactor containment structures ‘significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident’

The head of the UN’s atomic watchdog agency has condemned a drone strike on one of six nuclear reactors at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine, saying such attacks “significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident”.

. . .

Russian officials at the plant claimed the site was attacked on Sunday by Ukrainian military drones, including a strike on the dome of the plant’s sixth power unit.

Ukraine’s intelligence agency has denied responsibility for the strike. “Russian strikes, including imitation ones, on the territory of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant … have long been a well known criminal practice of the invaders,” a spokesperson told local media.

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  • WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.worldEnglish
    335·
    2 months ago

    Russia is so dangerously sociopathic they’re risking nuclear meltdown, and dumb enough to think the world would believe Ukraine’s responsible.

    I’m guessing these actions are a warning that Russia will salt the earth if they can’t have it?

  • AutoTL;DR@lemmings.worldBEnglish
    1·
    2 months ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:

    In a statement on X, Rafael Grossi confirmed at least three direct hits against the ZNPP main reactor containment structures.

    Grossi said it was the first such attack since November 2022, when he set out five basic principles to avoid a serious nuclear accident with radiological consequences.

    “Russian strikes, including imitation ones, on the territory of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant … have long been a well known criminal practice of the invaders,” a spokesperson told local media.

    In a separate statement, the nuclear watchdog confirmed the physical impact of drone attacks at the plant, including at one of its six reactors.

    “Damage at unit 6 has not compromised nuclear safety, but this is a serious incident with potential to undermine integrity of the reactor’s containment system” it added.

    The plant’s six reactors have been shut down for months, but it still needs power and qualified staff to operate crucial cooling systems and other safety features.

    The original article contains 512 words, the summary contains 156 words. Saved 70%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!