Russia has reported that a Ukrainian drone targeted a section of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Alexei Likhachev, the head of Rosatom, stated that a Ukrainian drone struck the turbine hall of Unit 6 at the plant on Saturday afternoon. The drone was guided by fiber optics, indicating it was not an accidental strike, as per the state-owned news agency RIA Novosti.
The incident resulted in a breach in the turbine hall wall, but there was no damage to the primary equipment, according to reports from the news agency. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe with six reactors and among the world’s ten largest, has been a focal point of concern for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during the conflict due to fears of a potential nuclear disaster.
Since Moscow initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the plant has been under Russian control but is not operational. Greenpeace recently highlighted in a report that satellite images revealed Russia’s construction of a high voltage power line in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine.
Shaun Burnie, a nuclear expert at Greenpeace Ukraine, expressed concern about Russia’s activities, stating that this development provides evidence of Russia’s dangerous intentions to restart the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. However, an IAEA official, in response to the Greenpeace report, mentioned that no significant changes indicating Russia’s preparations to restart the plant have been observed by the agency’s inspectors.
Russia has not officially acknowledged the power line project, while Ukraine raised objections regarding the construction of the power line in a note to the IAEA and its members. Kyiv condemned the actions as a violation of international law and an encroachment on Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The construction of the transmission line is seen as a clear sign of Russia’s unauthorized plans to restart the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is legally the property of Ukraine. Kyiv emphasized that any operation of the plant without explicit authorization from the Ukrainian nuclear regulator is illegal and poses a direct threat to nuclear safety.
