Ukraine has denied Russian claims that its forces struck the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant with a drone, calling the allegation a 'propaganda ploy'. Russia's state nuclear company Rosatom said a Ukrainian kamikaze drone hit the turbine hall of Power Unit No. 6 on Saturday, 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 that section of the frontline during the incident.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed it was informed by the plant that a drone had struck a turbine building. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi expressed serious concern, saying 'attacking nuclear sites is like playing with fire'. The IAEA team has requested access to examine the affected building.
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.'
