Ukraine Denies Russian Claims of Drone Attack on Nuclear Plant

Ukraine dismissed claims from Moscow on Sunday regarding a Ukrainian drone targeting the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Concurrently, Kyiv initiated new strikes on Russian energy facilities.

Ukrainian Strikes in Russia

Ukraine’s General Staff stated on Sunday that Ukrainian drones struck the Saratov oil refinery in southwestern Russia. The attack reportedly caused a large-scale fire. The refinery supplies resources to Moscow’s war efforts and is owned by Russia’s state oil enterprise, Rosneft. It produces diesel, gasoline, and other fuels.

In a statement, local Russian governor Roman Busargin confirmed damage to civilian infrastructure by Ukrainian drones but withheld specific details. Astra, an independent news channel in Russia, reported a fire at an oil refinery in Saratov.

Recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil and gas facilities have increased. Ukraine argues that Russia’s energy sector funds and directly supports Moscow’s prolonged invasion.

Rostov Region and Beyond

Drone debris led to a fire at a fuel depot in Russia’s southwestern Rostov region, near Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. The local governor, Yuriy Slyusar, reported on Telegram that nearby residents were evacuated. Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed the strike on the Matveev Kurgan facility, which local authorities had identified as causing a massive blaze.

Additionally, Ukraine reportedly targeted the Lazarevo pumping station in Kirov region, northeast of Moscow, located over 745 miles from Ukrainian territory. This station facilitates the transport of Russian oil from Siberia to Belarus.

Alexander Sokolov, the Kirov region’s governor, acknowledged drone activity but did not provide further information.

Claims of Attack on Zaporizhzhia Plant

Ukraine denied Russia’s assertion of a drone attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the largest in Europe. Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear company, alleged that a drone explosion created a hole in a turbine hall wall. Its CEO, Alexei Likhachev, criticized Ukraine for a “deliberate” assault, claiming no damage occurred to key equipment.

Ukraine’s military countered these claims, dismissing them as “propaganda.” They emphasized compliance with international humanitarian law and awareness of the repercussions of targeting nuclear installations.

The military noted the lack of active conflict along the incident’s front line section and declared no weapon use at that time. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, voiced concern on social media following the event.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, captured by Russian forces during the early weeks of the war, remains near the southern region’s front lines. Despite Russia’s annexation claims, the area lacks full military control and international acceptance.

Ukraine’s nuclear oversight agency called for IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhia site to verify Russia’s damage report as part of their long-term monitoring.

Ongoing Drone Strikes

The nuclear plant has faced regular assaults since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Both countries accuse each other of deliberate targeting, raising the risk of a nuclear incident.

Elsewhere, Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down 212 drones out of 299 launched by Russia overnight. It acknowledged 14 drones reaching targets while debris landed in five areas.

Russian drones hit the city of Dnipro and an oil refinery in Ukraine’s Rivne region, resulting in fires. Oleksandr Koval, head of Rivne’s regional administration, confirmed no injuries at the refinery and the presence of emergency response teams.