“Nuclear blackmail” – IAEA reports attack on power infrastructure tied to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant near the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) came under heavy attack on 4 June, raising renewed concerns over the safety of Europe’s largest nuclear facility.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has remained under Russian control since early in the full-scale invasion, with repeated warnings from international monitors about the risks posed by military activity around the facility.

The IAEA said its team at the site observed light smoke rising from the direction of the thermal plant and heard ongoing military activity in the area. The plant’s switchyard provides key electricity connections to the ZNPP, including its only remaining external power line.

The agency said that line has been disconnected several times in recent weeks, forcing the nuclear plant at points to rely on emergency diesel generators to maintain cooling systems for its six reactors – a critical safeguard against a potential nuclear incident.

“For now, the power line is still connected,” the agency said, adding that staff at the thermal plant were sheltering during the attack. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed “deep concern” and said the incident must stop immediately to prevent an extended loss of power at the nuclear site.

The agency did not attribute responsibility for the strikes in its statement.

Ukrainian military blames Russia, calls reports ‘manipulation’

Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces said Russian reports claiming Ukrainian strikes on the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant were “manipulation” aimed at influencing the IAEA.

They said Russia was attempting to shift responsibility for risks to the nuclear plant, arguing that “the only source of danger” at the facility is the ongoing Russian occupation and military presence.

They reiterated that Ukrainian forces do not target nuclear facilities or related critical infrastructure, and accused Russia of using the occupied plant as an instrument of “nuclear blackmail.”

They called for the demilitarization of the Zaporizhzhia plant and the withdrawal of Russian forces, saying this was the only way to restore nuclear safety at the site.