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Russia has claimed a Ukrainian drone hit the dome above the nuclear reactor at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on Sunday. Radiation levels at the plant were normal and there was no serious damage, the
Russian authorities said. The Reuters news agency said the circumstances of the incident were not immediately clear, including what weapon was involved. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has experts at the site, said it had been informed by the Russian-run plant that a drone had detonated at the site and the information was “consistent" with IAEA observations. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said both sides should refrain from actions which “jeopardise nuclear safety". The nuclear plant has six Soviet-designed water-cooled reactors containing uranium and also has spent nuclear fuel at the facility. Reactors No. 1, 2, 5 and 6 are in cold shutdown while Reactor No. 3 is shut down for repair and Reactor No. 4 is in so-called “hot shutdown", according to the plant. Russian officials claimed the dome of the plant housing Reactor No. 6 was hit. The plant, which is Europe’s largest, said: “The radiation levels at the plant and the surrounding area have not changed." The report could not be verified, and
Ukraine did not immediately comment on the situation. The plant remains close to the front lines, and both Ukraine and Russia have repeatedly accused the other of attacking the plant and risking a possible nuclear disaster. Experts last year said an
explosion at the plant could be "akin" to another Chernobyl. Ex-defence ministers ‘wrong’ to warn
UK unprepared for war, Oliver Dowden claims Jailed Navalny ally 'put in solitary confinement for removing his jacket' Six Russian warplanes 'destroyed and eight damaged' in Kyiv attack on Putin air base Buying a new car? Here's why Omoda needs to be on your radar The IAEA's Mr Grossi has repeatedly warned of grave concerns about the plant due to repeated attacks. The power plant has been caught in the crossfire since
Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in 2022 and seized the facility shortly after. Also on Sunday, three people were wounded in Russian shelling in Ukraine's northeast Kharkiv region, according to regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov. Meanwhile, Russia said a girl died and four other people were wounded when the debris of a downed Ukrainian drone fell on a car carrying a family of six people in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine. MORE ABOUT Have your say...