Russia Claims Ukrainian Drone Hit Nuclear Plant; Kyiv Dismisses as Propaganda

Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, stated today that a Ukrainian drone struck the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest. While no critical equipment was damaged, Kyiv dismissed the claim as a propaganda ploy by Moscow. According to Reuters, Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev called the attack 'deliberate' and stated that the explosion blew a hole in the wall of the facility. 'This afternoon, a Ukrainian suicide drone hit the building of the 6th power unit, followed by an explosion,' Likhachev said in a statement. 'The explosion did not cause damage to the main equipment, but it blew a hole in the wall of the turbine hall.' The Ukrainian military denied the Russian claims, calling it 'another propaganda ploy,' and stated that its forces did not launch an attack on the 6th power unit of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. In a statement, the Ukrainian military said, 'Ukrainian soldiers strictly adhere to international humanitarian law and fully understand the consequences of any actions against nuclear facilities.' 'During the incident, there was no intense fighting on the front line, and no weapons were used.' The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is located near the front line in southeastern Ukraine and has been occupied by Russia since March 2022. During the four-year war, the plant has been attacked several times, raising concerns about nuclear accidents.