Russian missiles kill 4 in Zaporizhzhia, after Ukrainian drones hit nuclear power plant

Europe, News April 8, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

Russia has accused Kyiv of carrying out the latest attacks on the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Ukraine on the other hand, reported that Russia fired missiles into the Southern Zaporizhzhia city killing four civilians, injuring 20, and damaging residential and industrial buildings.

On April 5, 2024, Russia’s state-owned news agency reported that Ukrainian drones attacked the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant but caused no damage to its critical infrastructure. The power plant was reported to sustain minor infrastructural damage.

The shutdown nuclear power plant, which was seized by the Russian forces in the first phase of the invasion, has become a critical site during the war due to its critical infrastructure that, if attacked, can result in a major catastrophe.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with experts on-site, was notified by Russian officials about the attack. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, urged both parties to avoid actions that could endanger nuclear safety.

The nuclear facility houses six Soviet-designed VVER-1000 V-320 water-cooled and water-moderated reactors containing Uranium 235, along with stored spent nuclear fuel. The facility holds the distinction of being Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.

*^{Ukrainian emergency workers carry an injured woman at the site of a deadly Russian missile strike in Zaporizhzhia. (Image Credit: Reuters)}*

According to reports, Ukrainian drones also targeted Russia’s Morozovsk airbase killing or injuring about 20 airfield personnel and destroying six Russian aircraft.

Earlier this week, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had downed 53 Ukrainian drones. It said “attacks with aerial drones” were foiled, adding that 44 of them were downed or intercepted in Rostov, where Russia’s Ukraine campaign headquarters is located.

Russian attacks

In response to Ukraine’s attack on the nuclear power plant, Russian forces fired five missiles on Ukraine’s southern city of Zaporizhzhia, as reported by the regional governor.

“What marks today’s strikes: first, there were two missile strikes, and then, about 40 minutes later, there were other strikes at the same place, just as rescuers, and police started working,” Governor Ivan Fedorov said on national television.

At least three people have been killed Thirteen people were wounded, including a nine-year-old boy, and four were hospitalized in grave condition. Two journalists were among the wounded. Three apartment blocks, 10 private houses, shops, and an unidentified industrial facility were also damaged, Fedorov said.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that Russian forces destroyed a warehouse containing drone boats supplied to Kyiv by NATO countries, along with two S-300 surface-to-air missile systems and a P-18 surveillance and targeting radar.

Russian armed forces destroyed a Ukrainian warehouse — *^{Russian armed forces destroyed a warehouse with drone boats handed over to Ukraine by NATO partners. (Image Credit: Russian Defense Ministry/TASS)}*

“Russian forces destroyed a warehouse with drone boats handed over to Ukraine by NATO countries, two S-300 surface-to-air missile systems, a P-18 surveillance and targeting radar, as well as defeated the Ukrainian manpower and military equipment in 107 areas,” the statement said.

In addition, Russian air defense systems shot down 293 Ukrainian drones and intercepted four HIMARS and Uragan rockets over the past 24 hours. “Russian air defense systems downed 293 Ukrainian drones and four HIMARS and Uragan rockets over the day,” the military said.