Russia Claims Ukraine Killed Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Chief Engineer In 'Targeted' Strike
Russia Claims Ukraine Killed Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Chief Engineer In 'Targeted' Strike Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 02:50 IST Moscow said Aleksandr Yakovlev
Russia Claims Ukraine Killed Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Chief Engineer In 'Targeted' Strike Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 02:50 IST Moscow said Aleksandr Yakovlev and a driver were killed after a drone allegedly operated by Ukrainian forces struck a service vehicle travelling near the plant. A view of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. (AFP photo) Russia on Wednesday accused Ukraine of killing the chief engineer of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in a drone strike near the facility. Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia’s state nuclear company Rosatom, said Aleksandr Yakovlev and a driver were killed after a drone allegedly operated by Ukrainian forces struck a service vehicle travelling near the plant. He called the incident as a “targeted terrorist attack" by Kyiv. Likhachev said Yakovlev had dedicated his career to nuclear energy and died while carrying out his duties. However, Russian authorities have not provided further details about the reported attack or released independent evidence supporting the claim. Concerns Over Zaporizhzhia Plant Safety Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn what she described as the killing.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi also condemned the incident but did not assign responsibility to either side. “The IAEA has been informed by the Russian Federation that the ZNPP chief engineer was killed in a drone strike near the site today. DG @rafaelmgrossi condemns the reported incident which he says represents an unacceptable attack on the plant and its management, seriously threatening nuclear safety. The IAEA calls for an immediate end to all attacks on or near nuclear sites and their staff, DG Grossi says," IAEA shared in a post on X. The IAEA has been informed by the Russian Federation that the ZNPP chief engineer was killed in a drone strike near the site today.DG @rafaelmgrossi condemns the reported incident which he says represents an unacceptable attack on the plant and its management, seriously… pic.twitter.com/kH5GVMRpwk— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) July 15, 2026 The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, has been under Russian control since Moscow’s forces captured it in March 2022, shortly after launching their full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The facility, located in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Enerhodar near the Dnipro River, has remained a major source of concern during the war. Both Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly accused each other of carrying out attacks around the plant, warning that military activity could threaten nuclear safety. Yakovlev’s name had not previously appeared prominently in public statements from the plant or Rosatom, with the Moscow-appointed director Yuri Chernichuk, a former chief engineer at the facility, usually speaking publicly on behalf of the plant. (With inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What is the IAEA's role in investigating this incident? The IAEA condemned the reported incident, calling it an unacceptable attack on the plant and its management. Could this incident escalate the conflict further? Russia accused Ukraine of killing the chief engineer of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in a drone strike near the facility. The IAEA condemned the incident as an unacceptable attack. What are the long-term safety concerns for the plant?
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