Ukrainian Drone Hits Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Reactor Area

JAKARTA - Ukrainian forces launched a drone strike in the city of Energodar near Russia-controlled nuclear power plant (PLTN) Zaporizhia in southern Ukraine.

Factory management said no safety breaches were recorded.

"Radiations on site and in the normal observation area," said local governor Yevgeny Balitsky.

The drone hit the parking lot about 300 meters from one of the power generation reactors.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the report. There has been no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Russian troops took control of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe after President Vladimir Putin sent his troops to Ukraine in February 2022.

The six reactor units are in a 'cold shutdown' condition to reduce the risk of a nuclear crash.

Russia and Ukraine often accuse each other of firing the factory and its surroundings.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has placed permanent monitoring at the site and urged both sides to refrain from attacking the site.

IAEA chairman Rafael Grossi last week warned the number of attacks against the plant had increased, and said it was impossible to determine which side was responsible for studies of drone fragments.