This footage shows emergency services putting out fires near Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia last night, after a fresh Russian drone attack on the area left at least three people dead.
The images were obtained from the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine early on 16th March following an overnight barrage of Russian attacks on Zaporizhzhia Oblast — home to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has been under Russian control since March 2022 and is at the centre of ongoing international safety concerns.
The fresh strikes come just days after Alexei Likhachev, the head of Russia’s Rosatom Nuclear Corporation, warned on 13th March — following talks with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi — of an increased risk to the plant.
Grossi has said the continued presence of IAEA experts at the site is “essential to prevent a nuclear accident,” with the agency brokering local ceasefires to allow repairs to the plant’s back-up power lines.
The attacks on the wider Zaporizhzhia area follow explosions and air-raid alarms across multiple regions, including strikes on the capital Kyiv and outlying areas on 14th March, as well as infrastructure in the Sumy region and civilian buildings in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
The SES of Ukraine said on 16th March: “Three people were injured as a result of enemy shelling of Zaporizhia.
“On the night of [15th to] 16th March, the enemy attacked the city with unmanned aerial vehicles.
“Currently, three victims are known.
“At four neighbouring addresses, rescuers extinguished fires in residential buildings with a total area of 230 sq. m.
“All emergency services of the city worked at the scene.”
The statement comes after an attack on Zaporizhzhia on 14th March left two people dead and 21 injured.
The SES of Ukraine had said on 14th March: “The number of people injured as a result of Russian air strikes has increased to 18, two people rescued.
“Previously, one person died, 18 people were injured, including two teenagers aged 16 and 17.
“Emergency services unblocked two people from under the rubble of a destroyed building.
“The rescued are being provided with necessary medical assistance.
“The number of victims is being determined.
“Rescuers extinguished all fires.
“Psychologists of the State Emergency Service provided assistance to 13 people.”
This figure was later updated to two dead and 21 injured, according to Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, who confirmed that the 17-year-old teenager who was injured had died in hospital.
The IAEA and Russia have been discussing safety, security, and safeguards at the nuclear plant, with Rosatom briefing Grossi on work to prepare for a possible restart of the plant’s units — though both sides acknowledge electricity generation can only resume once hostilities end and threats are removed.
