Ukrainian military officials have refuted claims that their forces targeted the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, asserting that such allegations are part of a disinformation campaign by Russia. The Southern Defense Forces stated on May 30 that Russia continues to use the facility for nuclear intimidation and misinformation.
The command emphasized that reports disseminated by occupying forces regarding an alleged strike by Ukrainian defense units are attempts to discredit Ukraine and obscure Russia’s own actions. “The accusations from the occupiers are yet another information provocation by the aggressor state,” the statement read.
Ukrainian military leaders reiterated their commitment to international humanitarian law and acknowledged the potential consequences of any actions concerning nuclear facilities. They pointed out that since March 2022, Russia has illegally maintained military control over the Zaporizhzhia plant, violating regulations regarding the placement of weaponry within a five-kilometer zone.
According to the command, Russian troops have positioned electronic warfare systems, weaponry, military equipment, and personnel within the plant’s premises. They described the ongoing manipulation of nuclear safety issues as part of Russia’s nuclear terrorism strategy against Ukraine and the international community.
Military officials noted that the Zaporizhzhia plant is currently situated approximately 50 kilometers from the nearest frontline. The closest Ukrainian-controlled city across the former Kakhovka reservoir is Nikopol, located at least 10 kilometers away.
Furthermore, the Ukrainian armed forces stated that they do not possess drones capable of operating at the range suggested by Russian sources, nor do they have drones equipped with the cumulative warhead weight required to penetrate the structure in question. They also mentioned that Russian forces have established multi-layered smoke screens around the plant.
“The narrative promoted by Russia does not withstand factual scrutiny,” the command concluded.
Earlier, Russian media reported statements from Alexey Likhachov, head of Rosatom, claiming that a Ukrainian fiber-optic drone allegedly detonated near the turbine building of the plant’s sixth reactor. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose experts are present at the site, has not confirmed any attack. The IAEA recently recorded the sixteenth loss of external power supply to the Zaporizhzhia plant.
Since 2022, all six reactors at the Zaporizhzhia plant have been in a state of cold shutdown. The IAEA maintains a continuous presence at the facility to monitor safety amid ongoing military actions.
Russia seized the largest nuclear power plant in Europe during the early weeks of its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The plant is not currently generating electricity, and both Ukraine and Russia frequently accuse each other of actions that jeopardize nuclear safety.
Ukrainian military officials have denied allegations of strikes on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, labeling them as Russian disinformation. The ongoing military control by Russia raises concerns about nuclear safety amid the conflict.