IAEA chief expresses concern over reported drone strike at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

By  News On Air   May 31, 2026

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi has expressed concern after a reported drone strike on a turbine building at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine yesterday.

The IAEA said it was informed by the plant that a drone struck the turbine building earlier in the day, reportedly leaving a hole in one of its walls. 

The agency said its team on site has requested access to the area to assess the damage.

Grossi warned that any attacks on or near nuclear facilities pose serious risks, reiterating that such sites must not be targeted under any circumstances.

Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosatom said a Ukrainian drone struck the turbine island of Unit 6 yesterday, causing damage to a structure but not affecting key equipment.

The plant also reported no casualties or major damage.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, one of Europe’s largest nuclear power facilities, has been under Russian control since March 2022.

The IAEA has repeatedly warned about the risks of military activity around the site and called for the protection of nuclear infrastructure.