Drone Attack on Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant: Chief Engineer Killed According to Rosatom

The International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA condemned the attack as unacceptable and demanded the immediate cessation of all attacks on nuclear facilities and their personnel. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram: „Wir fordern von den zuständigen internationalen Gremien, allen voran der IAEA, eine klare und unmissverständliche Erklärung, in der dieser Mord verurteilt wird." Likhachev also demanded a clear response from the IAEA.

Kyiv Rejects the Accusations

The Ukrainian government in Kyiv dismissed Moscow's account as baseless and denied in an official statement that a chief engineer of the nuclear plant had been killed in the attack. The mutual accusations highlight the ongoing contradictory information situation surrounding the facility.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has six reactors with a total capacity of 6,000 megawatts and is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. It has been under Russian control since it was captured by Russian troops in March 2022. According to information from the facts, all reactors have been shut down for safety reasons.

IAEA Reactions

The case underscores the concern that international observers have had for years about the safety of the facility in an active conflict zone. The IAEA had repeatedly pointed out in the past that the plant was particularly at risk due to military activities in the surrounding area.

The version of events presented by Rosatom could not initially be independently verified. The factual situation is essentially based on Russian authorities and on the statement of the Ukrainian government, which denies the killing.

According to information from the facts, the Russian leadership was informed of the attack. An independent international investigation of the incident was not mentioned in the available information.