KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a Russian drone attack early on Wednesday (Oct 25) in western Khmelnitskyi region had probably targeted the area’s nuclear power station.
The attack shattered windows at the plant and injured 20 people.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, said blasts from the drone attack did not affect the plant’s operations or its connection to the grid. Power was temporarily cut to some off-site radiation monitoring stations.
In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said the attack provided yet more evidence that tougher sanctions were needed against Russia.
“It is most likely that the target for these drones was the Khmelnitskyi nuclear power station.” he said. “The shock wave from the explosion shattered windows, including on the nuclear power station’s premises.”
Zelenskyy said every Russian strike, “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”.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, in a statement, said: “The fact that numerous windows at the site were destroyed shows just how close it was. Next time, we may not be so fortunate.”
Ukraine’s air force destroyed all 11 Russian drones launched overnight, the military said. Damage was caused by blast waves and falling debris, according to the interior minister.
“At night, the enemy struck territory near the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant. As a result of the explosion, windows in administrative and laboratory buildings have been damaged,” the Energy Ministry said on the Telegram messaging app.