More than a dozen blasts occur near ZNPP, facilities damaged
On the morning of 20 November, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts reported that more than a dozen blasts occurred near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). A few buildings in the territory of the power plant were damaged.
Source: the IAEA website, Energoatom on Telegram
Quote: "IAEA experts at the ZNPP reported to agency headquarters that more than a dozen blasts were heard within a short period of time in the morning local time. The IAEA team could also see some of the explosions from their windows."
Details: Reportedly, some facilities, systems and equipment were damaged in the ZNPP area but none of them are of critical importance for nuclear safety and protection. There was no information about victims.
The IAEA experts are in close contact with the ZNPP administration and will continue assessing the situation and reporting about it.
Rafael Grossi, the CEO of the IAEA, turned to Ukraine and Russia with an "urgent appeal" to deal with the situation as soon as possible and put into effect the nuclear safety zone around the ZNPP.
Energoatom, the Ukrainian National atomic energy company, reported that the Russian occupiers have been launching attacks on the ZNPP all morning – infrastructure facilities at the power plant have been struck 12 times.
The occupiers have damaged:
- communication overpass with special buildings,
- tanks with demineralized water supplies,
- steam generators blowdown systems,
- aid systems of one out of two plant diesels,
- other equipment of plant infrastructure.
In addition, three facilities were struck near the Raiduha substation. The information about damage is being specified.
Energoatom stated that with these actions, the Russians were trying to disable the very infrastructure which was crucial for the launch of power units 5 and 6 and resuming electric energy production by the ZNPP for the needs of Ukraine.
Energoatom once again called the international community to urgently take measures for rapid demilitarisation of the ZNPP, withdrawal of the Russian troops from its territory as well as the city of Enerhodar and bringing the ZNPP back under Ukraine’s control for the sake of the safety of the whole world.
Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
