IAEA Update 307: Drone Strikes Zaporizhzhia NPP Turbine Hall Next to Reactor 6 — First Attack Within ZNPP Perimeter Since April 2024; Radiation Normal — Day 1,558

On June 1, 2026 — Day 1,558 of Russia's full-scale invasion — IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi issued Update 307 confirming that IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant recorded drone strike damage to the outer part of the turbine hall, located immediately next to reactor unit 6. The IAEA team observed: a metal access hatch damaged several levels up in the building, debris on the ground, and burned optical fiber remains — findings 'consistent with the impact of a drone.' The Russia-controlled plant operator (Rosatom subsidiary) reported the drone struck the turbine building on May 31, reportedly causing a hole in its wall. Russia's Rosatom blamed Ukraine and accused Kyiv of a deliberate attack on a nuclear facility. Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces categorically denied striking the ZNPP, calling Russia's claims 'nuclear terrorism' manipulation. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry accused Russia of staging the incident ahead of the IAEA Board of Governors session in June 2026. IAEA DG Grossi stated: 'Attacks on nuclear sites are unacceptable and must stop in order to prevent the very real risk of a nuclear accident.' Grossi added that the IAEA had requested access to the inside of the building for further examination. Critically, IAEA experts confirmed radiation levels at the ZNPP remain within normal limits — no radiological incident occurred. This is the first confirmed drone strike within the ZNPP perimeter since April 2024. The six reactors at ZNPP have been shut down since September 2022 due to the fighting, but residual heat and spent fuel require active cooling — any power or infrastructure disruption risks nuclear safety. IAEA's permanent monitoring mission has been on-site since September 2022.