Russia says Ukraine struck two Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant facilities
In short
The head of Russia's state nuclear energy corporation, Likhachev, said Ukrainian forces struck two facilities at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant early on October 5, one of them used to process radioactive waste. He said there is currently no threat to nuclear safety, and that Ukrainian attacks over the past two weeks on the nearby Zaporizhzhia thermal power plant also affect the nuclear plant's safety. Ukrainian authorities have not responded to the accusation.
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The head of Russia's state nuclear energy corporation, Likhachev, said Ukrainian forces struck two facilities at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the early hours of October 5, according to Chinese business outlets. One of the two facilities is used to process radioactive waste, he said. Likhachev said there is currently no threat to nuclear safety. Ukraine has not responded to the accusation, the reports said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Likhachev also said that over the past two weeks Ukrainian forces had systematically attacked the Zaporizhzhia thermal power plant next to the nuclear plant, and that whether the thermal plant's equipment operates normally bears directly on the nuclear plant's safety. Under these conditions, he said, workers at the nuclear plant continue to keep its facilities safe. [ 2 , 4 ]
According to Likhachev, the attacks have completely destroyed about 70 infrastructure sites in Enerhodar and damaged about 50 others. He also said a vehicle delivering food to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was struck in recent days, killing its driver. [ 2 , 4 ]
The outlets reported that Ukraine had so far made no response. The accounts of the strikes, the damage figures and the driver's death all come from Likhachev's statement, carried by the Chinese financial media without additional confirmation or details on the extent of the damage. [ 2 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The claims concern the safety of a nuclear power station in a conflict zone, an issue that draws attention well beyond the two countries involved. The account so far rests on the Russian state corporation's statements, with no response from Ukraine and no independent assessment of the damage reported by the outlets.
Key facts
- Likhachev, head of Russia's state nuclear energy corporation, said Ukrainian forces struck two facilities at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the early hours of October 5. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- One of the two struck facilities is used to process radioactive waste, according to Likhachev. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Likhachev said there is currently no threat to nuclear safety. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Likhachev said Ukrainian forces have systematically attacked the nearby Zaporizhzhia thermal power plant over the past two weeks, and that the operation of its equipment is directly tied to the nuclear plant's safety. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Likhachev said the attacks have completely destroyed about 70 infrastructure sites in Enerhodar and damaged about 50 others. [ 2 , 4 ]
- A vehicle delivering food to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was struck in recent days and its driver was killed, according to Likhachev. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Likhachev said workers at the nuclear plant continue to keep its facilities safe. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Ukraine has so far made no response, the reports said. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Likhachev, head of Russia's state nuclear energy corporation, said Ukrainian forces struck two facilities at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on October 5, one used for processing radioactive waste. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Likhachev said no nuclear safety threat currently exists. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Likhachev said Ukrainian attacks on the nearby Zaporizhzhia thermal power plant have continued over the past two weeks and affect the nuclear plant's safety. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Likhachev said about 70 infrastructure sites in Enerhodar were completely destroyed and about 50 damaged. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Likhachev said a food delivery vehicle for the plant was struck and its driver killed. [ 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the strikes caused damage at the nuclear plant beyond the two facilities named, and what the current condition of those facilities is. The documents report only Likhachev's account and give no independent assessment or details of damage.
- Ukraine's account of the overnight incident and of the attacks on the thermal power plant. The reports state that Ukraine has so far made no response, so only the Russian side is represented.
- The number and impact of attacks on Enerhodar's infrastructure, and who verified the figures. The figures of about 70 sites destroyed and about 50 damaged come from a single source, Likhachev, and are not attributed to any other party.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS reports that the head of Russia's state nuclear energy corporation said Ukraine struck two facilities at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant overnight. [ 1 ]
- CLS publishes the fuller account: one struck facility handles radioactive waste, no nuclear safety threat, two weeks of attacks on the nearby thermal power plant, about 70 infrastructure sites destroyed and about 50 damaged in Enerhodar, and a food delivery driver killed. [ 2 ]
- Yicai carries the same headline on the Russian statements. [ 3 ]
- Jiemian publishes the account with the detail on the radioactive waste facility, the thermal power plant, the Enerhodar damage toll and the driver's death. [ 4 ]