**Explosions and Smoke Reported Near Russian-Occupied Nuclear Plant in Ukraine**
A team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) witnessed explosions and smoke near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine today. The plant, which is the largest nuclear facility in Europe and one of the 10 largest globally, has been under Russian occupation since March 2022.
According to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, the team heard blasts and saw smoke coming from an auxiliary facility that was reportedly attacked by shelling and drones. The plant’s staff informed the team that the attack began around 9 a.m. local time, coinciding with military activity audible to the IAEA personnel.
The incident is the latest in a string of recent events highlighting the persistent nuclear safety risks stemming from Russia’s war against Ukraine. Grossi emphasized that any attack in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant poses potential risks for nuclear safety and must be avoided. “Once again, I call for maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities to prevent the continued risk of a nuclear accident,” he said.
**Concerns About Nuclear Safety Risks**
The Zaporizhzhia plant has been under Russian occupation for over a year, raising concerns about its operation and safety. The incident today is just one example of the risks associated with having a major nuclear facility in an area of conflict. Experts have long warned that the war in Ukraine poses significant nuclear safety risks, and this latest incident serves as a reminder of those dangers.
**Russian Plans to Link Zaporizhzhia Plant to Russia’s Energy Grid**
Meanwhile, Russian forces are constructing power lines in occupied southern Ukraine, which could link the Zaporizhzhia plant to Russia’s energy grid. According to a report by Greenpeace, since early February 2025, Russian forces have laid over 80 kilometers of high-voltage lines along the Sea of Azov coastline, connecting occupied Mariupol and Berdyansk.
Experts from Greenpeace believe that this construction aims to connect these new lines to a major substation near Mariupol, which could then be linked to the Zaporizhzhia plant. This move would give Russia greater control over Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and potentially allow them to use the Zaporizhzhia plant for their own energy needs.
**Conclusion**
The incident today at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is a stark reminder of the nuclear safety risks associated with having a major nuclear facility in an area of conflict. As tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue, it’s essential to prioritize maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities to prevent the continued risk of a nuclear accident.
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