On May 14, Yuri Chernichuk, director of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZAES), reported that Ukrainian military forces deliberately targeted two employees at the facility.
“This was an absolutely targeted strike,” Chernichuk told TASS. “As eyewitnesses say, this drone — the first to hit the cabin — was purposefully escorting a moving car along the road.”
According to his account, one employee sustained serious injuries including an abdominal wound, while the second suffered leg injuries. Chernichuk noted that the plant’s security systems remained undamaged and operations continued normally. The incident followed a drone attack by Ukrainian forces on May 3 against the external radiation monitoring laboratory at the plant. International nuclear watchdog IAEA experts confirmed damage to the laboratory equipment on May 4, prompting IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to call for measures to prevent risks near nuclear facilities. Chernichuk also reported that evacuation of injured staff was complicated by multiple Ukrainian drone strikes.
