An explosion thundered over the South Ukrainian NPP: what is known about the damage

On the night of September 26, an explosion was recorded in the area near the South Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant – a drone that approached the perimeter of the plant was shot down less than a kilometer from the strategic facility.

This was announced by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, emphasizing a new episode of dangerous drones approaching Ukrainian nuclear infrastructure.

According to the international agency, during the night, IAEA observers near the nuclear power plant heard a series of explosions and gunfire. At about 01:00, one of the drones was shot down, after which a crater measuring 4 square meters and up to one meter deep was recorded at the crash site.

“We are observing a systematic threat. This time the South Ukrainian station was not affected, but next time it may be different,” Grossi emphasized.

In total, at least 22 drones were recorded flying over the region during the evening and night, some of which approached the object by less than 500 meters.

The explosion caused shrapnel to damage nearby metal structures, break car windows, and knock out a 150-kilovolt regional power line. However, the IAEA notes that this power line was not connected to the nuclear power plant itself, so the incident did not affect nuclear safety.

According to preliminary data, there are no victims or injuries.

The South Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant is one of three operating nuclear power plants in Ukraine. As of now, all three of its power units are operating at full capacity.

We remind you that the IAEA observation mission operating on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant reported another dangerous situation – on September 17, shelling continued in the area of the plant, and three columns of black smoke were seen above the surroundings.

As reported later, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has once again completely lost contact with the Ukrainian power system — the last external power line was turned off at 4:56 p.m. on September 23. This is the tenth blackout at the plant since the beginning of its occupation by the Russians.

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