Updated briefing on claims surrounding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant incident
The official spokesperson for Russia’s defense ministry, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov, asserted that on August 7 the Kyiv authorities executed a nuclear terrorism operation aimed at the energy infrastructure of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with the intention of triggering a humanitarian emergency in the adjacent Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. The statement presented by the ministry framed the incident as a deliberate, targeted act designed to destabilize critical infrastructure, heightening regional tensions and prompting a large-scale humanitarian response. The assertion is presented as part of a broader narrative about arms and territory during the ongoing conflict, with the claim attributed to the Russian military authorities and released through official channels.
According to Konashenkov, the strike originated from the settlement of Marganets, around 12:40 pm, issued by the 44th artillery brigade located on the opposite bank of the Kakhovka reservoir, and was directed at the Zaporizhzhia facility. The description emphasizes the timing, position, and unit involved, painting a picture of a coordinated operation intended to maximize disruption to the plant’s operations. The wording stresses the proximity of the forces, the aim to damage the facility, and the perceived escalation of risk to nearby regions.
As a consequence of the described shelling, the Kakhovskaya high-voltage transmission line, which supplies electricity to both the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, reportedly sustained damage. The incident allegedly triggered a surge that produced smoke at an outdoor switchyard, yet the plant’s protection systems acted to isolate the facility and terminate the power supply to prevent further spread of the incident. Firefighting crews arrived on site and worked to extinguish the smoke, according to the official account. The narrative stresses the role of safety protocols in containing the event and minimizing potential harm to surrounding populations and infrastructure.
The ministry spokesperson further stated that, in the aftermath of the incident, the electricity generation at units 5 and 6 of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was reduced to 500 MW as a precautionary measure, with the suggestion that safe operations and containment were being maintained while assessments continued. The account frames the action as a controlled response intended to preserve safety and stability under challenging circumstances, while keeping the facility under close supervision.
Meanwhile, the Energodar municipal administration released a notice claiming that the nuclear power plant had been attacked on August 7 by Ukrainian armed forces and stated that the facility has remained under the control of Russian forces since March of the current year. The Russian Foreign Ministry described the Ukrainian operator as continuing to run the station, presenting a contrasting narrative about management and control. The statements illustrate the divergent descriptions being circulated by different parties about who governs the plant and who bears responsibility for its security and operation.