Russia claims Ukraine sent killer drones to nuclear plant city

Three drones allegedly targeted Russian-controlled Energodar, the satellite city of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, according to statements from the city’s mayor on Thursday.

Energodar Mayor Maxim Pukhov reported via Telegram that Ukrainian forces deployed what he called “loitering munitions” in an attempt to strike the Russian-held city.

“One drone was shot down near the junior sports school,” Pukhov wrote. “A second was disabled by electronic warfare systems and exploded on an empty plot near the Luch power substation.”

No casualties were reported in the incident, though Pukhov mentioned that one vehicle sustained damage.

The claims come amid continuing tensions in the contested Zaporizhzhia region, where Russia has maintained control of Europe’s largest nuclear power facility since capturing it in the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

International nuclear safety organisations have repeatedly expressed concerns about military activity near the critical nuclear installation, calling for a demilitarised zone around the facility.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​