The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a statement on the 6th, saying that there was shelling near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant that day, intensifying nuclear safety risks.
The statement cited information from the agency's team stationed at the nuclear plant, saying that the shelling took place in the afternoon and that shells landed near the plant. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant immediately notified the IAEA team that a certain area near the plant was subjected to two rounds of shelling, with no reports of casualties or damage at present.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi made a statement pointing out that the nuclear safety and security situation has clearly not improved; on the contrary, risks are increasing. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been without off-site power for nearly two weeks and has had to use emergency diesel generators to cool the shutdown reactors and spent fuel. The current situation is facing a severe challenge.
Grossi called on both sides of the conflict to exercise maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities and said the agency will continue communication with both Russia and Ukraine in order to restore external power supply to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as soon as possible.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is one of Europe's largest nuclear power plants. Since the escalation of the Ukraine crisis in February 2022, the Russian side has controlled the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Since then, the plant has repeatedly suffered shelling or drone attacks, sparking international concerns over its safety. Since September 23rd, the plant has for several consecutive days relied on backup diesel generators to maintain operations.