Russian drone flies near Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant

Source: Energoatom

An alarming incident was reported at the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power on the night of September 22 as a Russian attack drone was spotted flying “dangerously close” to the site.

According to Energoatom, Ukraine’s nuclear operator, the drone’s flight route suggested that Russia was likely having a dry run of an attack on the nuclear facility. The attack simulation saw the drone sharply veer off its original trajectory toward the station, coming alarmingly close to the site, and then going back to its initial route.

This is the second time Russia has threated to the safety of the plants, which Energoatom called the escalation of a “campaign of energy terror”.

Energoatom has reported each of these incidents to the relevant authorities, ensuring that Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues formal notes to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and informs domestic and international organizations.

Petro Kotin, Energoatom CEO , warned that Russia is “raising the stakes by systematically creating tension at nuclear sites.” He called for an end to this reckless practice, warning  “the consequences could be catastrophic.”

Over the past few weeks, more than 70 Russian drones and over 30 enemy cruise missiles have been detected near Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, according to Energoatom data.

Kotin urged the international community to condemn Russia’s actions and “force them to stop threatening Ukraine’s nuclear facilities.”