Russia reports Ukrainian drone strike near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant | Russia-Ukraine war News
Drone Strike Near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Kills One, Injures 17
Published: Aug. 18, 2026
A drone strike near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern Ukraine has resulted in the death of one nuclear specialist and injuries to 17 others, according to reports from Russian authorities.
On Tuesday, Moscow indicated that Ukraine was responsible for the drone attack. This incident has intensified concerns regarding the security of Europe’s largest nuclear facility, which has been a focal point of global anxiety since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Russian management of the Zaporizhzhia plant reported via Telegram that the majority of those injured were employees of the facility. They described the drone strike as one of the gravest incidents in the plant’s history.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the attack struck staff members at a bus stop, but reported “no nuclear safety or security damage” occurred as a result of the strike. The IAEA, which acts as the United Nations’ nuclear regulator, called on military leaders to cease actions targeting nuclear power plants and their personnel, citing significant risks to nuclear safety.
Since being seized by Russian forces a month after the invasion, the Zaporizhzhia plant has remained under Russian control. Although the six reactors at the facility — capable of producing nearly six gigawatts of electricity — have been shut down since the takeover, experts warn that any strikes could lead to serious damage and potential radioactive leaks.
The drone strike occurred just before an anticipated visit by IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, who was scheduled to assess nuclear safety at the site. It remains uncertain whether the visit will proceed as planned.
Later on Tuesday, a Russian assault on a thermal power plant in central Ukraine forced operations to halt, according to DTEK, the nation’s largest energy provider. While no casualties were reported in the attack, DTEK indicated through social media that there was “significant damage to equipment.”
Since the start of the conflict, Russian forces have conducted 230 attacks on DTEK’s thermal facilities as part of a broader strategy to undermine Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
