Russia Launches Kamikaze Drones Over the Nuclear Reactors of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has obtained evidence of Russia using kamikaze drones over the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). Video footage from a Russian FPV drone, acquired with radio-electronic intelligence, bears the marking “UT4D.TT,” suggesting that the drone was supplied by the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Defense.

The kamikaze drone’s flight path crosses directly over ZNPP power units, heading toward the Ukrainian-controlled communities of Nikopol and Marhanets — areas frequently targeted by enemy attacks.

Andriy Chernyak, a representative of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, stressed that Russia exploits the ZNPP’s territory for drone launches. They are aware that Ukraine’s Security and Defense Forces cannot retaliate within a one-and-a-half-kilometer zone surrounding the plant.

The Russian military has established UAV launch sites in close proximity to the ZNPP’s sixth reactor. Additionally, since the summer of 2023, Russia has used the captured nuclear power plant to train FPV drone pilots. This training is conducted by the so-called “Archangel” school, financed by the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (formerly known as the “GRU”).

These facts provide further evidence of Russia’s criminal and irresponsible activity at the occupied nuclear facility, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences.

On April 26, commemorating the 38th anniversary of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the international community to take decisive action to prevent a new nuclear disaster at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.