News
IAEA Raises Alarm Over Deteriorating Safety at Europe’s Largest Nuclear Plant Amid Drone Strike

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has raised serious concerns about the deteriorating safety conditions at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, following a drone strike near the facility. Located in southeastern Ukraine, the plant has been under Russian control since early 2022, following the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On Saturday, a drone strike targeted a perimeter access road used by staff at the plant, heightening fears about the security of the facility. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi confirmed to Russian state-owned news agency TASS that experts on site were alerted to the detonation and promptly assessed the situation. The strike, which Russia attributed to Ukrainian forces, has intensified the already tense standoff over the safety and security of the plant.
Zaporizhzhia has been a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict, with both Russia and Ukraine accusing each other of attacks aimed at destabilizing the plant. Although the facility is currently dormant, the war of words between the two nations over its control and safety has persisted, with each side alleging that the other is attempting to sabotage operations and endanger the surrounding area.
In response to the latest incident, Grossi issued a stark warning. “Yet again we see an escalation of the nuclear safety and security dangers facing the Zaporizhzhia power plant,” he said in a statement. He called for “maximum restraint from all sides” and urged strict adherence to the five concrete principles established for the plant’s protection.
The site of the drone strike was reportedly close to critical infrastructure, including essential cooling water sprinkler ponds and the Dniprovska power line, the last remaining 750-kilovolt line supplying power to the plant, according to the IAEA. The proximity of the explosion to these vital components has raised alarms about the potential for a catastrophic failure.
The IAEA team that inspected the site on Saturday confirmed that the damage was consistent with an explosive payload carried by a drone. While there were no casualties and no immediate impact on nuclear equipment, the team noted significant damage to the road connecting the plant’s two main gates.
The incident underscores the growing risks to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as the conflict in Ukraine continues, with international observers increasingly concerned about the potential for a nuclear disaster in the region.
News
Myanmar Struck by Aftershocks as Earthquake Death Toll Rises
News
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Effort to Dismantle Voice of America
News
Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative
Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.
Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement
Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.
However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.
EU’s Role and Sanctions History
SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.
Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes
The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.
As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.
Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures
While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.
For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
-
Business10 months ago
Saudi Arabia’s Model for Sustainable Aviation Practices
-
Business10 months ago
Recent Developments in Small Business Taxes
-
Politics10 months ago
Who was Ebrahim Raisi and his status in Iranian Politics?
-
Business9 months ago
Carrectly: Revolutionizing Car Care in Chicago
-
Business9 months ago
Saudi Arabia: Foreign Direct Investment Rises by 5.6% in Q1
-
Technology10 months ago
Comparing Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3
-
Politics10 months ago
Indonesia and Malaysia Call for Israel’s Compliance with ICJ Ruling on Gaza Offensive
-
Technology10 months ago
Recent Developments in AI Ethics in America