Strong explosions were noted overnight in the area near Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant in western Ukraineas a result of which the windows in some of its buildings were broken, but without affecting its operation or its connection to the grid, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported this evening.

According to the IAEA, the explosions temporarily cut power to some radioactivity level monitoring stations outside the nuclear plant.

“The fact that a lot of windows were broken shows how close it was. Next time we might not be so lucky,” commented the General Director of the Organization, Rafael Grossi.

THE President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky he said it was possible the Russians had targeted the facility with drones and that this was evidence that tougher sanctions were needed on Moscow. “It is very likely that the target of these drones was the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant. The shock wave from the explosion broke the windows in the nuclear power plant’s premises,” he said in his videotaped speech in the evening.

The Ukrainian president added that every Russian strike, “especially those as brazen” as today’s, reinforces the argument that “the pressure on the terrorist state is insufficient.”

Earlier, Ukraine’s energy ministry said the impact damaged nearby buildings and injured 20 people. They also broke windows in the administration buildings and facilities housing laboratories. Due to the explosions, more than 1,800 consumers were left without electricity in the towns of Netisin and Slavuta. Netisyn is 5 km from Khmelnytskyi and Slavuta about 20 km. In this town, 20 buildings were damaged, including one used by the local fire and rescue service. Mayor Vasily Sidor said 20 people were injured.

The Khmelnytskyi region is frequently targeted by Russian drone and missile attacks, a fact military analysts attribute to the presence of a military airport in the area.