Russia claims Ukraine drone hit nuclear plant; Kyiv calls it propaganda

Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, reported that a Ukrainian drone struck the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest, which is currently under Russian control. Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev described the attack as "deliberate" and stated that an explosion created a hole in the wall of the turbine hall. However, he asserted that critical equipment remained undamaged.

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This afternoon, a Ukrainian kamikaze drone hit the building of power unit No. 6, followed by an explosion. The explosion did not damage the main equipment, but it blew a hole in the wall of the turbine hall.

"This afternoon, a Ukrainian kamikaze drone hit the building of power unit No. 6, followed by an explosion," Likhachev said in a statement. "The explosion did not damage the main equipment, but it blew a hole in the wall of the turbine hall."

Ukraine's military vehemently denied the Russian claims, labeling them as "another propaganda trick" by Moscow. In a statement, the Ukrainian military asserted that its forces strictly adhere to international humanitarian law and are fully aware of the consequences of any actions involving nuclear facilities. They added that there were no intense combat operations or weapon use on the front lines near the plant during the incident.

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Another propaganda trick

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, located near the front lines in southeastern Ukraine, was occupied by Russia in March 2022. Throughout the four-year war, the plant has been subjected to multiple attacks, sparking widespread concerns about the potential for a nuclear accident.

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Ukrainian soldiers strictly adhere to international humanitarian law and are fully aware of the consequences of any actions involving nuclear facilities. There were no intense combat operations or weapon use on the front lines during the incident.