Russia launches kamikaze drones over Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Photo: Russians launch kamikaze drones over ZNPP nuclear reactors (Getty Images)

Russian troops are using kamikaze drones over the nuclear reactors of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Defense Intelligence of Ukraine showed video evidence.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine's active action units have found evidence that the Russians are using drones at the ZNPP. The video from the enemy FPV drone was obtained with the help of electronic intelligence. The footage has UT4D.TT marking, which indicates that the drone was supplied by the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The flight path of the Russian kamikaze drone runs over the ZNPP power units towards the Ukrainian-controlled Nikopol and Marhanets communities, which are under constant Russian attack.

Andrii Cherniak, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, says that Russians use the territory of ZNPP to launch drones, as Ukrainian troops cannot return fire in the 1.5-kilometer zone around the plant.

According to intelligence, the Russian troops have equipped launch pads for their drones near the sixth reactor of Zaporizhzhia NPP.

In addition, since the summer of 2023, the Russians have been using the territory of the seized nuclear power plant to train FPV drone pilots. This is done by the so-called Arkhangel school, which is funded by the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (former GRU).

Situation at ZNPP

Zaporizhzhia NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. It was occupied by Russians in the first weeks of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Russians turned ZNPP into a military facility by deploying soldiers and equipment there. The Russian occupiers also mined the territory of the plant. Ukrainian personnel work at the plant, although the Russians sent their so-called management from Moscow. The IAEA monitoring mission is also at ZNPP.

Recently, the Ukrainian military reported that the Russians were preparing provocations at the Zaporizhzhia NPP. In this case, the Russians may blame Ukraine.