MOSCOW, Russia- A drone has struck a cooling tower at a nuclear power plant in Russia, but the incident did not cause a fire or affect nuclear safety, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The United Nations nuclear watchdog said it had been informed about the incident by Russian authorities.
No casualties were reported, and radiation levels at the facility and surrounding areas remained normal.
The drone reportedly struck a cooling tower at the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant in Russia’s western Voronezh region, which borders Ukraine.
Russia’s state nuclear power operator, Rosenergoatom, said the drone was intercepted using technical systems before it crashed into the tower and exploded.
“There was no damage or injuries; however, the detonation left a dark mark on the cooling tower,” the company said.
It added that the plant continued operating safely and that radiation readings had not changed.
The IAEA said no fire was reported following the impact. Cooling towers remove excess heat from a power plant but are separate from the nuclear reactors and their containment systems.
Russian authorities blamed Ukraine for the drone, describing the incident as an attack on critical nuclear infrastructure.
Ukraine had not immediately responded to the accusation, and the IAEA did not attribute responsibility.
The Reuters report said Moscow has previously accused Kyiv of targeting nuclear facilities in the Kursk and Smolensk regions. Ukraine has also accused Russia of creating nuclear safety risks at power stations located on Ukrainian territory.
The incident comes amid continued drone attacks by both sides since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi has repeatedly called for military restraint around nuclear facilities, warning that attacks or fighting near such sites could cause a serious accident.
The agency continues to monitor nuclear facilities affected by the war, including the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern Ukraine.
The plant is not producing electricity but still requires power to cool its nuclear material and maintain essential safety systems.
