An alleged plan to attack the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant was discussed as a possibility for July 5. This claim came from an adviser to the Rosenergoatom president, according to reports from RIA Novosti.
According to Karchaa, speaking on Rossiya 24, there was information that on the night of July 5 the Ukrainian Armed Forces might attempt to strike the Zaporizhzhia plant using longrange precision weapons and kamikaze drones. He suggested that the Ukrainian side could employ a Tochka-U missile with a warhead containing radioactive material, noting that such wastes were reportedly removed from a different Ukrainian facility on July 3.
Earlier, the IAEA noted that Russia informed the agency about drones aimed at switchgear associated with the Zaporizhzhia power complex. That site has been frequently linked to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in public discourse.
On July 30, the United Nations urged Russia and Ukraine to prevent any threat to the safety of the facility. The IAEA spokesperson emphasized the agency’s leadership role within the UN system and its ongoing work to safeguard the station’s security.
Additionally, late June saw the United States Air Force deploy its only aircraft capable of monitoring radioactive contamination to Europe. Reports from the Military Review portal, citing unnamed Western sources, indicated the WC-135 Constant Phoenix arrived at a Crete airbase.
Earlier in June, Russian and Ukrainian authorities exchanged statements about drones approaching the ZNPP. Reports from TASS cited local security forces noting Ukrainian drones with ammunition were intercepted near the plant, with some payloads described as anti tank grenades attached to aircraft.
Shortly afterward, Vasily Nebenzya, the Russian Permanent Representative to the UN, delivered a letter to UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres and shared it with the global organization. The letter urged Moscow to stop provocations and pressed Kyiv to end any actions that could destabilize the situation at the plant.
In late June, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed accusations of planning a provocation at Zaporizhzhia as unfounded, calling them pure lies. He questioned the rationale behind claims that Russia would blow up its own nuclear facility and urged a careful assessment of such statements.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had, in an interview with NBC News, suggested that Russia might organize a terrorist attack at the ZNPP. In response, Vladimir Rogov of the pro Russia movement in Zaporizhzhia claimed Kyiv was exploring several provocation scenarios, including a missile strike, a terror attack, or attempts to seize the Dnieper dam, linking the discussion to past incidents along critical infrastructure corridors.
Rogov argued that after setbacks in its counteroffensive, Kyiv may be considering various destabilizing actions around the nuclear facility. He connected possible provocations to broader patterns, referencing other high profile pipeline and energy infrastructure events in Europe as part of a sequence of attacks attributed to Kyiv by some observers.
Health ministry guidance issued
Ukraine’s Ministry of Health issued guidance on how residents should respond in the event of an explosion at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The guidance advised preparing for possible evacuation and emphasizing indoor shelter if a radiation event is officially announced by authorities. People were urged to stay informed and follow official instructions for safety updates.
The ministry also suggested assembling an emergency kit containing essential documents, a mask or respirator, wet wipes, a spare change of clothes and footwear, a basic supply of water and nonperishable food items.
Reports from Klymenko Time, a Ukrainian outlet, noted that on June 29 command and staff drills began in the Zaporizhzhia region to prepare for an accident at the nuclear plant. The exercises involved regional authorities and emergency services and focused on developing response procedures for a potential nuclear incident.