Economy & Energy
Russia says attack on fuel trucks endangered Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Russia’s nuclear chief said two servicemen were killed in an alleged Ukrainian strike on diesel trucks serving backup generators at Zaporizhzhia.
The head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation said Ukrainian forces attacked fuel trucks near the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, killing two Russian servicemen and creating a potential risk to the site’s backup electricity supply.
Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev said the alleged strike occurred on Friday, 11 September. He described the vehicles as part of the system supplying diesel for emergency generators used when the plant loses external power.
The accusation was made by a Russian official and had not been independently verified in the initial reporting. Ukraine did not immediately confirm responsibility. Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused each other of military activity that threatens the safety of the plant.
Zaporizhzhia is Europe’s largest nuclear power station, with six reactors. Russian forces have controlled the facility since 2022, while the plant remains internationally recognized as Ukrainian. Its reactors are not producing electricity, but they still require reliable power and cooling systems to maintain nuclear safety.
Diesel generators are a final line of protection when off-site electricity is unavailable. The plant experienced an extended loss of external power during August and September, increasing attention to fuel stocks and the resilience of emergency systems.
The International Atomic Energy Agency maintains a permanent presence at the site. The agency has repeatedly warned that military activity, unreliable power lines and restricted access create persistent risks. It has also facilitated local arrangements that allow repairs to damaged electrical connections.
Likhachev said the attack killed two servicemen and injured several others. Reuters attributed those casualty figures to him; they should not be presented as independently confirmed.
Ukraine says Russia’s occupation and militarization of the plant are the fundamental source of danger and demands that Moscow return the facility to Ukrainian control. Russia rejects that demand.
The immediate safety condition of the reactors was not reported to have changed following the alleged attack. The central concern raised by Likhachev was the integrity of the diesel supply chain, not a confirmed release of radiation or direct damage to reactor systems.
Further assessment will depend on information from the IAEA mission and independently verifiable details about the location and consequences of the strike.
Likhachev said the vehicles were hit close to the perimeter and that two servicemen supporting the delivery were killed, with several others injured. His statement did not identify the weapon used or publish evidence showing the trucks at the moment of impact.
The two external power connections serving the facility had both been unavailable for nearly three weeks during August and September before repairs restored electricity. That recent episode explains why diesel deliveries attract particular scrutiny: emergency generators must be ready whenever off-site power is interrupted, even while the reactors remain shut down.
No radiation release was reported, and Likhachev did not say that reactor cooling had failed. The allegation concerned a threat to fuel logistics and personnel near the station, not confirmed physical damage to a reactor or spent-fuel system.
