Ukrainian drones strike Zaporizhzhia power plant and Russian oil infrastructure

Ukrainian drones attacked multiple targets in Russia on Saturday. Rosatom, the Russian nuclear corporation, confirmed a strike on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. A combat drone hit the turbine hall of the plant, the company said. According to Russian statements, no critical damage occurred to important facilities and radiation levels remain within normal range.

Parallel to the attack on the nuclear power plant, Ukrainian drones destroyed targets of Russian energy infrastructure. The Straits Times reports that drones struck a port and an oil depot in the southern region of Taganrog as well as another depot in Armavir. According to Russian authorities, an oil tanker was damaged and a refinery was hit.

The situation escalated in the Belgorod border region. Russian authorities reported three deaths in the settlement of Oktyabrski following Ukrainian attacks. The regional crisis staff confirmed the losses.

Repeated attacks on nuclear power plant

The attacks on Zaporizhzhia are part of an ongoing campaign against the power plant under Russian control. The nuclear power plant has been repeatedly targeted since the Russian invasion in 2022 – both sides accuse each other of the attacks. The New York Times documents the repeated security risks at the facility.

The attacks on energy infrastructure are part of Ukraine's strategy to weaken Russia's war capability through destruction of supply facilities. Such drone attacks on oil and gas installations have intensified in recent months and increasingly target civilian infrastructure as well.