IAEA: Radiation Levels Normal At Zaporizhzhya Plant After Drone Strike

KYIV, June 1 (Bernama-dpa) -- Radiation levels at Ukraine's Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant "remain normal" following a suspected drone strike, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Sunday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

IAEA experts stationed at the plant were able to inspect the exterior of the affected turbine hall on Sunday, according to the United Nations (UN)'s nuclear watchdog.

"The team’s observations are consistent with the impact of a drone," the IAEA said.

The damage observed by inspectors includes "burned optical fibre remains," as well as "damage to a metal access hatch located several levels up in the building" and "a few pieces of debris."

The Moscow-installed management of the plant and Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, said on Saturday that a drone had struck the turbine hall of reactor unit six.

They blamed the incident on the Ukrainian military, saying the attack involved a fibre-optic-guided drone, without providing evidence.

Ukraine's military rejected the accusation, describing it as an attempt by Russia at "nuclear blackmail."

Zaporizhzhya, located in south-eastern Ukraine, is Europe's largest nuclear power plant, with six reactors and a capacity of around 6,000 megawatts. 

Russian forces seized the facility shortly after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

All six reactors have since been shut down for safety reasons.

-- BERNAMA-dpa