The Russian-installed administration in the partially occupied Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia said on Wednesday that Ukraine had conducted a drone strike on a nuclear power station there, but the reactor was undamaged.
Reuters could not independently verify the report and Ukrainian officials had no immediate comment.
Ukraine has previously accused Moscow of basing troops and storing military equipment on the grounds of the power station, which is the largest nuclear plant in Europe and located in Russian-occupied territory near the city of Enerhodar.
Vladimir Rogov, a member of the Russian-installed administration, wrote on Telegram that three Ukrainian “kamikaze drones” had struck the plant. Rogov told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti that the plant’s reactor section was not damaged.
Ukraine’s state nuclear company Energoatom, whose employees still run the plant despite the area being under Russian control, issued a statement later accusing Russian forces of demanding access to the machine halls of three reactors at the plant in order to store tanks and equipment there.
Russian occupation official Vladimir Rogov claims three Ukrainian drones targeted the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. AP
Russian forces previously bombarded and occupied the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on March 17, 2022. Press service of National Nuclear Energy Generating Company Energoatom/Handout via REUTERS
Ukraine’s state nuclear company Energoatom is still operating the plant under Russian occupation. Press Service of National Nuclear Energy Generation Company Energoatom via APEnergoatom said, without providing evidence, that Russian troops were doing so for fear of “presents” from Ukraine’s armed forces, an apparent reference to targeted strikes. The company did not comment on the alleged drone impact.
