By Askin Kiyagan
VIENNA (AA) – Slamming the drone attack on an International Atomic Energy Agency's convoy returning from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Facility in Ukraine, the IAEA chief called on all parties involved in the conflict, as well as the international community, to support the agency’s efforts to ensure nuclear safety.
Speaking at an IAEA Board of Governors meeting, Rafael Mariano Grossi explained that on Dec. 10, a vehicle clearly marked with the IAEA logo was struck by a "loitering munition" drone while returning after dropping off agency staff at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Grossi shared a photo of the vehicle, showing extensive damage to its rear, but confirmed that two staff members, including a security officer, were unharmed.
He emphasized that this was not an accidental incident and stated that the agency would investigate the attack.
“As I said yesterday, if attacking nuclear facilities is wrong, imagine what we should think about targeting the personnel working to ensure the safety and security of those facilities under these circumstances," he said.
Grossi pointed out that although the perpetrator cannot be definitively identified without further information, the attack was clearly intentional.
“Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing. The convoy included three Ukrainian vehicles and one IAEA vehicle, and it was our vehicle that was hit. It is clear that the intent was to harm or intimidate us,” Grossi said.
Grossi reiterated that the IAEA would not cease its operations in the region and would continue its work, despite facing various challenges in the past, noting that this attack was particularly concerning.
He called on all parties involved in the conflict to avoid any actions that could endanger nuclear facilities.