Russian forces use Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant for drone warfare
Russian forces are training drone pilots at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which they currently occupy, and are attacking areas controlled by Ukraine from its grounds, stated Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian authorities' Centre for Counteracting Disinformation.
"The Russians are using the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as a training ground for FPV drone pilots. Moreover, these pilots are terrorising Nikopol, which is under Ukrainian control, by using this Ukrainian city with civilians as a training ground. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is, in fact, a cover for the Russian military," Kovalenko wrote on Telegram.
Located in Enerhodar, in the Zaporizhzhia region of southern Ukraine, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is Europe's largest nuclear power plant. Since March 2022, Russian occupation forces have controlled it.
Authorities in Kyiv warn that the presence of Russians at this facility poses a risk of catastrophe and believe that Moscow is blackmailing the world with this threat. They also demand the power plant's return to Ukrainian control and restore compliance with all safety standards.
Element of nuclear blackmail
Russia is blackmailing the world with the threat of a catastrophe at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, using the power plant's territory as a platform to attack Nikopol and other nearby localities, and storing military equipment and ammunition on the grounds of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in August.
Ukrainian authorities consider the flights of Russian strike drones near other operational nuclear power plants in their country to be another element of nuclear blackmail.
Last week, two incidents occurred near the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant in the city of Netishyn in the western part of Ukraine. The plant is just under 120 miles straight from the border.
On 20 September, the Khmelnytskyi regional authorities reported that one of the Russian strike drones flew right next to the power plant. On 23 September, the Ukrainian state concern Energoatom stated that Russian forces simulated a drone attack on its facilities. Energoatom deemed that Russia's actions are intensifying energy terror.
