Ukraine's military has denied Russian claims that a Ukrainian drone struck the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe's largest, calling the allegation a 'propaganda ploy'. Russia's state nuclear company Rosatom said on Saturday that a drone hit the turbine hall of Power Unit No. 6, causing a hole in the wall but no damage to key equipment.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, captured by Russia in March 2022, is located near the frontline in southeastern Ukraine. Kyiv stated that its forces did not strike the plant and that no active fighting or weapons use occurred in that 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 site.
Separately, Ukrainian drone strikes caused fires at Russian oil facilities in the Rostov and Krasnodar regions overnight, damaging an oil depot and tanker in Taganrog and another depot in Armavir. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X: 'We are rightfully bringing the war back to where it came from.'
