IAEA Team Observes Damage to Equipment at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Laboratory

The inspection followed a report from the plant about a drone targeting the facility one day earlier. During the visit, the team observed damage to part of the laboratory's meteorological monitoring equipment. The affected equipment is no longer operational, according to the IAEA.

The laboratory handles external radiation control functions at the plant, which is located in Ukraine and has been a site of concern amid ongoing regional tensions. No further details on the extent of the damage or potential repairs were provided in the report.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is Europe's largest nuclear facility and has faced security issues since Russian forces occupied it in 2022. The IAEA has maintained a presence at the site to monitor safety and radiation levels. This latest incident adds to previous reports of military activities near the plant, though the agency did not attribute the drone incident to any specific party.

The visit underscores ongoing efforts to assess and mitigate risks at the facility. The IAEA stated that the team conducted the inspection to evaluate the reported impact. Plant operators had alerted the agency to the drone event on May 3, 2026, prompting the follow-up.