The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that one of Russia's drones crashed near the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant during an attack. This information was confirmed in an IAEA statement.
"A drone was shot down and exploded approximately 800 meters from the perimeter of the South Ukraine NPP during the night. This incident, which almost led to a disaster, reiterates the ongoing threat to nuclear safety amid military conflict," said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
Late in the evening and early morning of September 25, 22 drones were detected in the monitoring zone, some of which approached the NPP within 500 meters.
IAEA members living near the station heard gunfire and explosions around 01:00, and on September 25, they visited the site where one of the drones crashed, discovering a crater measuring four square meters and about one meter deep.
According to the South Ukraine NPP, a regional 150 kV power line was also damaged, although it was not connected to the NPP and had no direct impact on nuclear safety. No casualties were reported.
"Once again, drones are flying too close to nuclear power plants, endangering nuclear safety. Fortunately, the incident last night did not harm the South Ukraine NPP itself. Next time we may not be so lucky. I continue to urge both sides to exercise maximum military restraint near all significant nuclear facilities," Grossi stated.

Recall that on September 23 at 16:56, the sole power line providing electricity to the Zaporizhzhia NPP from the Ukrainian power grid was disconnected. This blackout marked the tenth since the NPP was occupied by Russia. On September 25, for the second consecutive day, the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP had to operate on diesel generators due to the loss of external power supply.