Zelensky: The Russian drone attack may have targeted the nuclear plant

2023-10-26 07:37:12, Kosova & Bota CNA

Zelensky: The Russian drone attack may have targeted the nuclear plant

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a Russian drone strike early Wednesday in the western Khmelnitskyi region may have targeted the area's nuclear power plant. The attack broke the windows of the power station and injured 20 people.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, said the explosions from the drone strike did not affect the plant's operation or its connection to the grid.

Power was temporarily cut to several radiation monitoring stations located outside the perimeter.

In his video speech at the dinner, Mr Zelensky said the attack was further proof that tougher sanctions against Russia were needed.

"It is very likely that the target of these drones is the Khmelnitskyi nuclear power plant," he said. "The shock wave from the explosion broke the windows and shook the premises of the nuclear power station."

President Zelensky said that every Russian attack, "especially those daring enough to target nuclear power plants and other critical facilities, serves as an argument that the pressure on the terrorist state is insufficient," as he put it.

Regional governor Serhy Tyurin gave a more complete picture of the extent of the damage, saying more than 1,700 buildings were damaged.

In a statement posted on the Telegram network, Mr Tyurin said they included 282 apartment blocks, more than 1,400 private houses, 41 educational institutions and six healthcare buildings.

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, said in a statement that:

"The fact that many windows were destroyed shows how close the impact was. Next time, we may not be so lucky."

Ukraine's air force destroyed all 11 Russian drones launched overnight, the military said. The damage was caused by blast waves and falling debris, according to the interior minister.

"The enemy hit the territory near the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant during the night. As a result of the explosion, the windows of the administrative and laboratory buildings were damaged," the Ministry of Energy said on the Telegram messaging application.

Khmelnytskyi region has regularly been the target of Russian drone and missile attacks, which analysts link to a military airport in the region.

Ukraine's five nuclear power plants have been the subject of debate since the Russian aggression began some 20 months ago. Russia took control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant at the start of the conflict, the largest in Europe, while the sides have repeatedly accused each other of plans to strike the facility./ VOA