Russia has warned of a potential 'nuclear apocalypse' following the killing of a senior engineer at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in a drone strike. Alexander Yakovlev, 46, was killed while traveling in a service vehicle between the facility and the nearby town of Enerhodar, according to Russian reports. His driver also died in the attack.
Engineer Targeted Near Europe's Largest Nuclear Plant
Yakovlev served as chief engineer at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest nuclear facility. Ukraine's Mirotvorets website had labeled him a 'traitor to the motherland' and an 'accomplice to terrorists and Russian occupiers.' By continuing to work for the Russians after the invasion, he faced accusations of collaboration in acts of nuclear terrorism and blackmail. Following the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia region, he was granted a Russian passport.
IAEA and Russian Officials React
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), condemned the incident without directly naming Ukraine or Russia. He stated that the killing 'represents an unacceptable attack on the plant and its management, seriously threatening nuclear safety' and called for an 'immediate end' to all attacks on or near nuclear sites. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: 'This is a crime of the Kyiv regime that Grossi must finally see - we demand a clear statement condemning this killing from the relevant international bodies, first and foremost the IAEA.' Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev added: 'We expect the IAEA to respond promptly, concretely, and clearly to this tragedy.'
Russian Lawmaker Alleges NATO Involvement
Staunchly pro-Putin MP Mikhail Sheremet, representing illegally occupied Crimea, alleged that Volodymyr Zelensky's 'terrorist regime' was 'so clearly striving to plunge the world into a nuclear apocalypse.' He claimed: 'I have no doubt that this terrorist attack was coordinated with the leadership of a number of NATO countries, which makes them direct accomplices in the crime.' Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the fatalities, while Ukraine offered no immediate response.
