Russian Drone Hits Khmelnitskyi, President Zelensky: Probably Targeting Nuclear Power Plant

President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Source: President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a Russian drone attack on Wednesday morning in the western region of Khmelnitskyi may have targeted a nuclear power plant in the region.

The drone attack was said to have broken windows at the Khmelnitskyi Nuclear Power Plant and injured 20 people.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the blast from the drone strike did not affect the operation of the power plant or its connection to the power grid. However, power was temporarily cut off at several off-site radiation monitoring stations.

In his evening video address, President Zelensky said the attack provided more evidence of the need for tougher sanctions against Russia.

"The most likely target of this drone is the Khmelnitskyi nuclear power plant," he said, as reported by Reuters, October 26.

It is said that the shock wave from the explosion destroyed windows, including those at the nuclear power plant site.

President Zelensky continued, any Russian attack, "especially those bold enough to target nuclear power plants and other critical facilities, serves as an argument that the pressure on that country is not enough."

Meanwhile, regional governor Serhiy Tyurin gave a more complete picture of the extent of the damage, saying more than 1,700 buildings were damaged.

Tyurin, in a statement posted on Telegram, said the figure included 282 apartment blocks, more than 1,400 private houses, 41 educational institutions, and six health service buildings.

Separately, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement: "The fact that so many windows at the site were destroyed shows how close it was. Next time, we may not be so lucky."

Ukraine's air force said it destroyed 11 Russian drones launched overnight, the military said. The damage was caused by blast waves and falling debris, according to the interior minister.

"At night, the enemy attacked the area near the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant. As a result of the explosion, windows in the administration building and laboratory were damaged," the Energy Ministry said via the Telegram messaging application.

Power lines were also damaged, he said, with more than 1,800 consumers in the neighboring towns of Netishyn and Slavuta facing power cuts.

As for Slavuta, 20 buildings were damaged, including one used by fire and rescue units and another by the police department, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said, while local mayor Vasiliy Sydor said 20 people were injured.

It is known that the Khmelnytskyi region is often the target of Russian drone and missile attacks, which analysts attribute to military airfields in the region.

A total of five nuclear power plants in Ukraine have become a point of contention in Russia's 20-month invasion.