Ukrainian drone targets main equipment of Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant
Moscow, May 30
A Ukrainian combat drone struck the turbine hall of Unit 6 of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on Saturday afternoon, stated Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, local media reported.
"This afternoon, a Ukrainian combat drone struck the turbine building of Unit 6, causing a subsequent detonation. The explosion did not damage the main equipment, but it did create a hole in the turbine wall. It's noteworthy that the drone was controlled via fiber optics. This completely rules out the possibility of an accidental impact," Likhachev emphasised in a statement.
According to Likhachev, this attack marks the first targeted attack on a nuclear power plant's core equipment in the history of the international community, Russia's state-owned Tass news agency reported.
"The entire international community can be 'congratulated,' so to speak - this [drone attack on the Zaporizhzhya NPP turbine hall] is the first targeted attack on the plant's core equipment, with a complete explosion and damage to the turbine building. The Ukrainian armed forces repeatedly cross not just red lines, but the boundaries of common sense. What should we expect next? Strikes directly at the turbine? The reactor hall? The reactor and its safety systems?" Likhachev noted in his statement.
According to him, the world is one step closer to an incident that will affect even those living far beyond Russia and Ukraine.
"We repeatedly draw the international community's attention to the extremely dangerous behaviour of the Ukrainian side. It seems many don't take the attacks on the nuclear power plant seriously. But today, we are one step closer to an incident that will most likely affect even those living far beyond Russia and Ukraine, who still think they are completely safe," he added.
Earlier this month, the Zaporizhzhia NPP's external radiation monitoring laboratory was attacked by Ukrainian forces with a drone.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone living in the West, I find this deeply concerning. We often feel safe thinking conflicts are far away, but radiation doesn't respect borders. The IAEA needs to step up its monitoring and both sides must commit to protecting civilian infrastructure. This is not a game.
While I condemn any attack on nuclear facilities, we need to remember that Russia also controls this plant since 2022. Both sides should de-escalate. India's position of neutrality and dialogue is the right one. War has no winners, especially when it risks global catastrophe. 🙏
Unbelievable! First they attack the Zaporizhzhia power station, now the nuclear plant. The international community must hold Ukraine accountable. Russia's security concerns are legitimate. India has always stood for respecting territorial integrity and condemning terrorism in all forms.
This is a dangerous escalation. Using fiber-optic drones shows planning, not accident. Both sides need to agree on safe zones around nuclear plants immediately. The world cannot afford another nuclear incident, regardless of geopolitical differences. Common sense must prevail.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.