Moscow Accuses Ukraine of Escalating Drone Strikes Near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Site

(MENAFN) Russian authorities have alleged a significant increase in Ukrainian drone attacks targeting the area around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the nearby city of Energodar.

According to statements from the head of Russia’s state nuclear operator Rosatom, Aleksey Likhachev, there were three consecutive days of what he described as heavy strikes on civilian infrastructure in Energodar, a town located close to the front line. He said the attacks hit multiple locations, including a gas distribution facility and residential buildings, with more than 20 explosions reported in a single day.

Likhachev also stated that several vehicles were set on fire and a fire truck sustained serious damage during the incidents. In addition, he said the city administration building was struck, and one drone reportedly hit the entrance area of a bomb shelter, though no casualties were reported.

Further claims included a strike on an external radiation monitoring laboratory linked to the nuclear plant. He added that a local power substation has been repeatedly targeted, which he said has made repair efforts unworkable.

He also reported that Energodar experienced a complete power outage lasting several days at the end of April into early May, during which hospitals and essential services were forced to rely on backup diesel generators due to damage to the electricity network.

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