Russia Says Ukrainian Drone Strikes Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Russia’s state nuclear energy company Rosatom said a Ukrainian drone struck the Russian controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on Saturday, damaging part of a turbine hall but reportedly leaving critical equipment untouched.

According to Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev, a kamikaze-style combat drone hit the turbine hall of Power Unit No. 6 and exploded shortly afterward. He said the blast created a hole in the building’s wall but did not affect primary systems at the site.

Likhachev described the incident as a “deliberate” attack and warned that continued strikes near nuclear infrastructure could increase the risk of a wider disaster.

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Safety Risks Remain a Global Concern

Ukraine did not immediately comment on the allegation. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest, has remained under Russian control since March 2022 and sits close to active frontline fighting in southeastern Ukraine.

The facility has faced repeated shelling during the war, raising ongoing fears of a possible nuclear accident.