Russia’s state nuclear energy company Rosatom claimed on Saturday that a Ukrainian drone struck the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, without damaging key equipment. Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev said the "deliberate" attack left a hole in the wall of a turbine hall at Power Unit No. 6.
Ukraine’s military denied the accusation, calling it "yet another propaganda ploy". In a statement, it said Ukrainian troops did not strike the power unit and that there was no active fighting at that section of the frontline at the time of the incident.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that it had been informed by the plant of a 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 examine the affected area.
Separately, Ukrainian drone strikes caused fires at Russian oil facilities in the Rostov and Krasnodar regions overnight. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X: "We are rightfully bringing the war back to where it came from."
Additionally, Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliynykova criticised Russian players at the French Open for their stance on the war, noting their participation in tournaments despite links to Russian companies.
