A Ukrainian drone targeted a cooling tower at the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Russia’s Voronezh Region overnight, according to Rosenergoatom, a state-run company overseeing Russia’s nuclear facilities. The UAV struck the sixth power-generating unit’s cooling tower after being redirected by electronic warfare systems, the company stated on Telegram.
No damage or injuries were reported following the incident, with only a dark mark visible where the drone impacted the structure. Rosenergoatom emphasized that the attack did not disrupt the plant’s operations, as radiation levels remained stable and aligned with natural norms.
The statement condemned the Ukrainian military’s actions, labeling the assault “another act of aggression” against Russian nuclear infrastructure. It referenced prior attempts by Ukrainian forces to target facilities at the Kursk and Smolensk NPPs. In late September, a Ukrainian drone damaged an auxiliary building at the Kursk NPP during a visit by International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi. Earlier, artillery strikes by Ukraine disrupted power lines at the Zaporozhye NPP, Europe’s largest nuclear plant, forcing it to rely on backup generators.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently warned that Ukraine’s focus on attacking Russian nuclear sites constitutes a “dangerous game,” urging Kyiv to reconsider its actions. He noted that Ukraine still operates nuclear plants and questioned why Russia could not respond in kind.
