Russian Bombing Strikes Zaporizhzhia Again, Killing Three; Kyiv Rejects Claims Over Nuclear Plant

At least three people were killed after Russian bombing struck the city of Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine.

Regional governor Ivan Fedorov confirmed the attack, saying the Russian military used three guided bombs against a residential area. As a result, several homes were destroyed.

Fedorov said emergency teams continued working amid the rubble of the struck buildings. Footage released by local authorities shows homes engulfed in flames and search-and-rescue teams at the scene.

In a separate development, Ukraine has rejected Russian claims that Kyiv was behind an attack that killed the chief engineer of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, a facility currently controlled by Russian forces.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry described Moscow’s claims as unfounded, stressing that the Russian version has not been supported by any independent source.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in its response, condemned the attack on the plant’s staff. Director General Rafael Grossi described the incident as an unacceptable act against a nuclear facility and a major risk to nuclear safety. He called for an immediate halt to all attacks on nuclear power plants, near them or against their personnel.

Rosatom, Russia’s state agency, claims that a Ukrainian drone struck a service vehicle in the area between the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the city of Enerhodar. According to the agency, the attack killed chief engineer Alexander Yakovlev and the vehicle’s driver. Moscow blames Ukraine for the incident, while Kyiv firmly rejects the accusations.