Officials appointed by Russia at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility in Ukraine claimed Thursday that Ukrainian forces conducted drone strikes against a thermal power station essential for maintaining electricity to the nuclear site.
The facility’s Russian-installed administrators reported that Ukrainian military forces carried out what they described as a “multiple attack using heavy unmanned aerial vehicles” in the vicinity of the nuclear plant.
“More than 20 drone strikes have been recorded,” the management stated.
According to the officials, the strikes targeted the thermal power facility, which they described as “site of critically important energy infrastructure that ensures the operation of the… Ferrosplavnaya-1 power transmission line.”
The administrators warned that “such attacks pose a direct threat to the reliability of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant power supply and once again demonstrate disregard for the principles of nuclear safety.”
Ukrainian officials have not responded to these accusations.
Russian military forces captured the nuclear facility, which contains six reactors and ranks as Europe’s largest, during the initial weeks after Russia’s February 2022 invasion. Since that time, both nations have consistently blamed each other for military actions that endanger nuclear security.
While the facility currently produces no power, it requires external electricity to prevent nuclear fuel stored at the location from overheating.
Two power lines provide grid connections, though one has remained offline since late March. The International Atomic Energy Agency has been working to establish a ceasefire that would allow repairs to the damaged line.
The IAEA reported Thursday that Russian plant management had notified them of the incident, and agency monitors stationed permanently at the site observed light smoke rising from the thermal plant area.
Rafael Grossi, IAEA director general, called for an immediate halt to attacks to avoid an extended loss of external power.
