In a concerning development, Ukrainian military drones targeted the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, a Russian-controlled facility in Ukraine, with at least three direct hits on its main reactor containment structures. The incident prompted Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the United Nations' atomic watchdog agency, to issue a statement condemning the attack and emphasizing its potential to cause a major nuclear accident.

The attack on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant marks the first such incident since November 2022, when Grossi laid out five principles to prevent serious nuclear accidents with radiological consequences. Officials from the plant reported that the drones struck the dome of the sixth power unit, but clarified that there was no critical damage or casualties. Radiation levels at the plant were confirmed to be normal after the strikes.

However, in a contradictory statement, the Russian state-owned nuclear agency Rosatom claimed that three individuals were injured in what it described as an "unprecedented series of drone attacks." Specifically, one drone allegedly hit an area near the plant's canteen. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) acknowledged the drone strike and verified the physical impact on the plant, including damage to one of its reactors. The IAEA stated that while the incident did not compromise nuclear safety, it was a serious occurrence that potentially undermined the integrity of the reactor's containment system. The agency also confirmed one casualty following the attack.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been a target since Russian troops entered Ukraine in 2022 and seized control of the facility. The IAEA has expressed repeated concerns about the plant, which is Europe's largest, due to fears of a potential nuclear catastrophe. Both Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of attacking the plant, which remains close to the front lines of the ongoing conflict.

Although the plant's reactors have been shut down for several months, it still requires power and qualified staff to maintain crucial cooling systems and other safety features. This incident underscores the vulnerability of the facility and highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures.

In other developments, clashes between Ukraine and Russia have resulted in casualties on both sides. In the front-line town of Huliaipole in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, three people were killed when their house was hit by a Russian projectile. Additionally, two people were wounded in another shelling incident in Huliaipole. In Ukraine's northeast Kharkiv region, three individuals were also injured due to Russian shelling. Meanwhile, in Russia's Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, a girl lost her life while four others were injured when the debris of a downed Ukrainian drone fell on their car.

The situation in Ukraine remains tense and volatile, with ongoing hostilities causing casualties and raising concerns about the security and stability of the region. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.