Russia says Ukrainian drone hit Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant unit
The head of Russia’s Rosatom state nuclear corporation, Alexei Likhachev, stated on 30 May 2026 that a Ukrainian drone had struck the machine hall of Unit 6 at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). The claim adds to a series of allegations from Moscow regarding the safety of the plant, which has been under Russian military control since early 2022.
Likhachev emphasised that the drone was ‘targeted’ and controlled via fibre optic cable, according to Russian state media. He said no major equipment was damaged. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not been able to verify the situation independently due to restricted access at the site.
The ZNPP has been a source of international concern since Russian forces seized it. Ukraine and Western nations have repeatedly accused Russia of militarising the site and using it as a shield for military operations. Moscow, in turn, has accused Ukraine of recklessly targeting the plant, a claim Kyiv has consistently denied.
In February 2025, a Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead struck the protective shelter over the destroyed Unit 4 at the Chernobyl nuclear plant. That incident was widely condemned and underscored the risks of military activity near nuclear facilities.
The occupation of ZNPP means any accident could have cross-border consequences for European countries. International standards call for de-occupation and demilitarisation of the site to restore nuclear safety.
