The nuclear power plant in the western Khmelnitskyi region was most likely the target of a Russian drone strike early on Wednesday, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Twenty individuals were hurt in the incident, which also broke windows at the business.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the explosions from the drone strike did not affect the plant’s ability to operate or connect to the grid. A few radiation monitoring stations located off-site lost power for a brief period.
Zelenskiy stated in his nightly video that the incident was proof that Russia needed more stringent sanctions. “It is most likely that the target for these drones was the Khmelnitskyi nuclear power station.” According to him. “The shock wave from the explosion shattered windows, including on the nuclear power station’s premises.”
Zelenskiy stated that any strike by Russia, “especially those daring enough to target nuclear power stations and other critical facilities, serves as an argument that pressure on the terrorist state is insufficient.”
Director General Rafael Grossi of the IAEA stated: “The fact that several of the site’s windows were shattered demonstrates how near it was. We might not be as lucky next time.
According to the military, the Ukrainian air force destroyed all 11 Russian drones that were fired overnight. The interior ministry said falling debris and blast waves were to blame for the damage.
“Near the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant, the enemy launched an overnight attack.” Windows in administrative and laboratory buildings have been damaged due to the explosion,” the Energy Ministry stated on the messaging app Telegram.
It further stated that around 1,800 customers in the nearby towns of Netishyn and Slavuta had power outages due to damage to power lines.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated on Telegram that 20 buildings in Slavuta were destroyed, including one used by a police department and another by a fire and rescue squad.
The town’s mayor, Vasiliy Sydor, reported that 20 persons were injured. Reuters could not confirm the reports. Russian drones and missiles have been attacking the Khmelnytskyi area regularly; experts have connected these strikes to a military airfield nearby.
Five nuclear power plants in Ukraine have been a source of conflict during Russia’s 20-month incursion. Early in the conflict, Russia took control of the largest nuclear station in Europe, Zaporizhzhia. Since then, both sides have frequently accused one another of plotting to bomb or shell the facility.
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