The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that artillery shelling was recorded near the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) on Tuesday, September 16, with black smoke observed rising from three locations close to the facility.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi described the incident as a stark reminder of the “continuous nuclear safety risks during the military conflict.” According to the agency, several artillery shells landed outside the ZNPP, approximately 400 metres from the diesel fuel storage facility. The explosions were followed by black smoke rising in three separate areas near the plant.
Observers from the IAEA mission reported hearing intermittent explosions for nearly two hours starting from 13:26 local time, including three particularly powerful blasts around 14:30. Gunfire was also recorded. The team was unable to inspect the scene immediately due to the dangerous conditions but indicated plans to carry out a survey on Wednesday morning if security allows.
Grossi emphasized the urgent need for restraint, stating, “I’ve repeatedly called for maximum military restraint near nuclear power plants and I do so again today. This must stop before it is too late.”
The incident adds to ongoing concerns over the ZNPP’s safety. Six of the plant’s seven power transmission lines have been compromised, leaving only one functioning line outside the site, creating serious risks. Earlier, IAEA experts were reportedly denied access to a newly constructed dam on the channel of one of the cooling ponds at the facility.
On August 13, the agency raised concerns about the reliability of water supply for cooling the reactors, which remain in cold shutdown since spring 2024 but still require cooling for their safety systems, reactor cores, and spent fuel pools. The plant has been temporarily occupied by Russian forces.
The Zaporizhzhia NPP has faced multiple disruptions in recent months. On August 10, the plant’s External Crisis Centre was damaged in a Russian attack. On July 4, Russian strikes caused a blackout by hitting a transmission line connecting the plant to Ukraine’s unified power grid. Although power lines were later restored, providing reliable external electricity to maintain radiation safety, the repeated threats underscore the fragile conditions at Europe’s largest nuclear facility.
