Russia Hides Weapons at Nuclear Plant, Launches Drones From Reactor Site, Video

Russian forces are using the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in southeastern Ukraine to launch drone strikes and store military equipment, according to the Ukrainian military.

In statements made public on January 14, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces Vladyslav Voloshyn said reconnaissance drone footage shows Russian military vehicles positioned near the plant’s nuclear reactors.

Voloshyn accused Russian troops of converting the site into a launch platform for drone operations targeting Ukrainian territory, including Zaporizhzhia city.

Voloshyn described the footage as “clear evidence” of Russia stationing armored vehicles and weapon systems in close proximity to the ZNPP reactors. Images released by the military reportedly include map overlays marking the location of Russian equipment and launch sites within the facility.

The use of nuclear infrastructure for military purposes violates international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks on or militarization of civilian nuclear facilities. “Russia is deliberately hiding military assets at the plant, knowing that Ukrainian forces will not target the reactors,” Voloshyn said.

The Ukrainian military also claims that the ZNPP has been repurposed as a training facility for drone operators. Voloshyn noted that Ukrainian intelligence has gathered evidence of multiple drone launches from the plant’s grounds, as well as several reported artillery strikes using multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) originating from the same area.

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Category

War in Ukraine

Why Europe Can’t Afford to Lose Its Largest Nuclear Plant to Russia

Mar 25, 2025 12:33

Russian forces have occupied the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant—Europe’s largest—since March 2022. Since then, Russia has attempted to assert administrative and operational control over the site, despite the presence of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) observers and repeated international calls for demilitarization.

Earlier, in December 2025, Ukraine and Russia agreed to a temporary ceasefire near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to allow critical repairs to damaged power lines. The IAEA, which brokered the agreement, stated that the repairs were essential for maintaining the plant’s cooling systems and preventing a potential nuclear accident.

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