Russian Shahed drone spotted flying near nuclear power plant in possible simulation of attack on nuclear facility

A Russian Shahed loitering munition was spotted flying close to the industrial site of the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) on the night of 21-22 September.

Source: press service for Energoatom, the Ukrainian state-owned nuclear company

Details: The press service indicated that the Russian Shahed UAV may have been simulating an attack on a nuclear facility.

"The flight trajectory suggests that Russia likely intended to simulate a direct attack on the nuclear power plant by sharply deviating from the initial trajectory towards the facility and approaching the site, then turning back and resuming the original trajectory," Energoatom said in a statement.

Energoatom noted that this is not the first time that Russia has put Ukrainian nuclear facilities at risk, jeopardising safety at nuclear power plants.

"Energoatom informs the relevant institutions of each incident so that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine can send notes to the International Atomic Energy Agency and alert both domestic and international organisations," Energoatom said.

Background: Over the past few weeks, power engineers have documented over 70 Russian drones and more than 30 Russian cruise missiles flying close to Ukrainian NPPs.

Support UP or become our patron!