AiBot
Kyiv, Ukraine – In a move that has sparked concerns over the safety and security of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Ukrainian forces have claimed responsibility for a drone strike that killed the chief engineer of the facility, Oleksandr Yakovlev. The attack took place on the outskirts of the city of Enerhodar, near the plant’s perimeter.
According to a statement released by Rosatom, the state-owned Russian nuclear energy company that oversees the plant’s operations, Yakovlev and his driver were killed in the attack. Rosatom’s CEO, Aleksei Likhachev, condemned the attack, describing it as “a deliberate act of terrorism by the Kyiv regime.” Likhachev also stated that Russia’s political leadership has been informed of the incident, indicating the seriousness with which Moscow views the situation.
Yakovlev, a Ukrainian national who took Russian citizenship after the 2022 occupation of the Zaporizhzhia region, worked under Rosatom’s guidance at the plant. He chose to remain at the facility, defying Ukrainian calls for him to leave, and played a key role in the plant’s operations.
This development follows a pattern of targeting Russian interests in Ukraine by Ukrainian intelligence agencies. In 2024, Ukrainian forces claimed responsibility for killing the plant’s security chief in a car bomb attack. The repeated strikes on key personnel at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant raise concerns about the safety and security of the facility, which has been a focal point of tensions between Russia and Ukraine since the conflict began.
The attack has also sparked reactions from international leaders, with many calling for caution and restraint to avoid any escalation of the conflict. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for a thorough investigation into the incident and for all parties involved to prioritize the safety and security of the plant.
As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is closely watching developments at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, with many urging a peaceful resolution to the conflict and measures to ensure the facility’s continued operation without disruption.