Grossi: Drone Attack Near Zaporizhzhia Plant Is the Most Serious Incident in Its History

According to ISNA, carried by Donya-e-Eqtesad on Tuesday, 18 August 2026 (27 Mordad 1405) at 18:37 Tehran time, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said a drone exploded around 6 a.m. that day at a bus stop in Enerhodar used by staff traveling to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Per Tass, citing information the plant's management gave the IAEA team, the blast wounded 16 plant employees and contractors, including one killed and three severely injured. Grossi described the incident as "the most serious in the plant's history."

The agency said it was also aware of attacks in the plant's industrial zone, though no damage affecting nuclear safety or security has been reported so far. Grossi called on the military commanders responsible to immediately halt such actions. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Kyiv had previously refused to guarantee the safety of Grossi's planned visit to the facility on 20 and 21 August (29 and 30 Mordad).