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IAEA Warns of Nuclear Risk as Dozens of Drones Detected Near Chornobyl and Rivne Plants
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Dozens of drones were recorded last week in the monitoring zones of the Chornobyl and Rivne nuclear power plants, creating what international officials describe as a direct risk to nuclear safety and security, according to a statement by International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi on February 6.
“Earlier last week, Chornobyl NPP detected 44 drones within their surveillance zone. On Tuesday last week, the IAEA team at Rivne NPP sheltered at their hotel, while two drones were detected within the plant’s surveillance zone. Another six drones were detected at Rivne NPP last week,” the statement said.
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Grossi also warned that renewed attacks on Ukraine’s power grid over the weekend had serious implications for several regions and for the operation of nuclear facilities.
According to the IAEA, power transmission lines linking Ukraine with neighboring countries were cut, triggering a cascading shutdown across the domestic grid. As a result, one nuclear power unit disconnected from the grid due to voltage fluctuations and shut down automatically, while other units at different plants were forced to reduce output.
At the Chornobyl site, the loss of external power supply was total, leaving the facility dependent on emergency diesel generators for roughly one hour.
The IAEA chief stressed that extensive repair work is required to restore the stability of electricity supplies to Ukraine’s nuclear plants and to improve their resilience against further incidents.
“Once again, I call for maximum military restraint, as well as full observance of the Seven Indispensable Pillars to enable these essential repairs to take place,” he said.
Grossi added that three IAEA teams are currently inspecting 10 critical substations essential for nuclear safety in Ukraine. The two-week mission is examining ongoing damage to the grid, reviewing repair efforts, and outlining measures to strengthen the reliability of external power supplies to nuclear facilities.
One of the teams has also traveled to Kyiv to discuss additional IAEA support as the condition of Ukraine’s power network continues to deteriorate.
The concerns were echoed by Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, who called on the International Atomic Energy Agency to take tougher action against Russia.
Speaking after a briefing with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and the heads of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, Shmyhal urged the agency to fully isolate Russia, impose sanctions, and suspend its membership.
Shmyhal noted that January 23 marked three years since the first IAEA mission was deployed to the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant, adding that Ukraine expects an eighth mission “in the near future,” which he described as an important signal of support as Russia “systematically” increases nuclear-related risks.
He stressed that continued strikes on Ukraine’s power grid and key substations, along with the movement of drones and missiles near nuclear facilities, constitute “clear signs of nuclear terrorism” under international conventions. Shmyhal called on the IAEA to use its authority under Article III.A.6 of the agency’s statute and to ensure strict adherence to the “Seven Pillars” of nuclear safety.
Earlier, it was reported that Ukraine had fully reinstated electricity supplies to the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant following an overnight Russian missile and drone strike that hit energy facilities serving the exclusion zone.
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