Ukraine's military has denied Russian claims that a Ukrainian drone struck the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant on Saturday, dismissing the allegation as a 'propaganda ploy'. Russia's state nuclear company Rosatom said a kamikaze drone hit the turbine hall of Power Unit No. 6, leaving a hole in the wall but causing no damage to key equipment.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest, has been under Russian control since March 2022 and is near the frontline in southeastern Ukraine. Ukraine's military stated that its troops did not strike the plant and that no active fighting or weapons use occurred in the area during the incident. 'Ukrainian servicemen act strictly within international humanitarian law,' the military said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed it was informed of the drone strike on a turbine building. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi expressed serious concern, warning that 'attacking nuclear sites is like playing with fire'. The IAEA team has requested access to inspect the affected building.
Separately, Ukrainian drone strikes caused fires at Russian oil facilities in the Rostov and Krasnodar regions overnight, including an oil depot and tanker in Taganrog and an oil depot in Armavir. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X: 'We are rightfully bringing the war back to where it came from.'
In other news, Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliynykova criticised Russian players at the French Open for their stance on the war, after her defeat to Russia's Diana Shnaider. She accused them of participating in events sponsored by Russian companies linked to the war effort.
