Ukraine steps up attacks on Russian nuclear power plants

(MENAFN) Ukraine has reportedly stepped up attacks on Russian nuclear power plants (NPPs) in response to setbacks on the frontlines, according to Aleksey Likhachev, head of Rosatom.

Likhachev stated that earlier this week, Ukrainian drones targeted the Novovoronezh NPP in Russia’s Voronezh Region. While eight of the drones were intercepted and destroyed, debris from the attacks damaged a power distribution unit, causing three reactor blocks to temporarily operate at less than half capacity.

“We are seeing growing aggressiveness from the Kiev regime, directed deliberately against facilities of Russia’s nuclear energy sector,” Likhachev said.

He added, “It is clear that this is a response to the successes and advances of our troops along almost the entire line of contact,” and emphasized that Russia would deliver an “adequate response” to these incidents.

Likhachev made these remarks following a meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi in Kaliningrad on Friday, where they discussed the Zaporozhye NPP and repeated Ukrainian attacks on other Russian nuclear facilities.

According to Likhachev, the safety of the Zaporozhye NPP, Europe’s largest nuclear plant, has been fully secured following the restoration of its external power supply. The facility had relied on backup diesel generators for 30 days after a Ukrainian strike severed its final high-voltage transmission line in September.

MENAFN20122025000045017281ID1110505928