A Ukrainian drone strike has reportedly ignited a fire at Russia’s Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), causing significant damage to one of the facility’s cooling towers. Russia’s nuclear power agency, Rosatom, has accused Kiev of engaging in “nuclear terrorism” following the incident.
According to a statement released by Rosatom on Monday, the attack occurred on Sunday evening when two Ukrainian drones targeted one of the plant’s critical cooling towers. The ensuing fire caused substantial internal damage, raising concerns about the stability of the structure. While emergency responders managed to extinguish the blaze within a few hours, the extent of the damage is still being evaluated by specialists.
Rosatom condemned the attack, highlighting that Zaporozhye NPP—the largest nuclear power plant in Europe—has been frequently targeted by Ukrainian forces, alongside the nearby city of Energodar. The agency stressed that the attack on such crucial infrastructure could have catastrophic consequences, reiterating its charge of “nuclear terrorism” against Ukraine.
In contrast, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky accused Russian forces of starting the fire at the facility. Zelensky shared video footage purportedly showing a large fire at the plant, with thick smoke billowing into the sky, but made no mention of a drone strike.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has a monitoring mission at the Zaporozhye NPP, reported hearing “multiple explosions” at the site. However, the agency refrained from attributing responsibility to either party. The IAEA confirmed that, as of now, there has been no impact on nuclear safety. Director General Rafael Grossi denounced the “reckless attacks” on the plant, warning that such actions heighten the risk of a nuclear accident.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticised the IAEA’s response, accusing the agency of inaction. She questioned the effectiveness of the UN body in addressing the situation, and condemned what she described as nuclear terror being perpetrated by Kiev with Western backing.
The Zaporozhye NPP has been under Russian control since 2022, following the early days of the conflict. The surrounding Zaporozhye Region officially joined Russia after a public referendum in the autumn of 2022, although the plant itself remains close to the ongoing front line, leading to frequent exchanges of accusations between Russia and Ukraine over attacks on the facility.
