UN Condemns Drone Strike on Russian-Controlled Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine

The United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) condemned a drone strike on the Russian-controlled Zaporizhizhia nuclear power plant but did not place blame on Ukraine.

The Details: Blame Game: Russian officials accused Ukraine of being behind the attack via the power plant’s official Telegram channel, but Ukraine has denied responsibility.

Key Quotes: IAEA head Rafael Grossi said there were “at least three direct hits” against the plant's “main reactor containment structures.” Grossi called the strike “reckless” and “a major escalation of the nuclear safety and security dangers.” He added, “This cannot happen. No one can conceivably benefit or get any military or political advantage from attacks against nuclear facilities.”

First Strike: The plant’s reactors were first attacked in early March 2022 when Russia seized the plant as part of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Much of the international community and mainstream media pointed at Russia for the dangerous strike, yet the Kremlin denied responsibility.

Nuclear Fallout: The IAEA said the damage had not compromised nuclear safety, but that it has “the potential to undermine [the] integrity of the reactor's containment system.” After the suspected first Russian strike in 2022, Ukrainian officials sounded alarms over the dangers of it, saying a plant explosion would mean “the end of Europe.”

How The Media Covered It: CNN (Lean Left bias) said it cannot independently verify Russia’s or Ukraine’s claims. BBC News (Center bias) and The Epoch Times (Lean Right bias) highlighted that both nations have previously accused each other of attacking the plant.