Russian Kamikaze Drones Detected Near Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant

Units of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense have reported the detection of kamikaze drones operated by Russian forces near the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), which is currently under Russian occupation.

The drones were observed flying over the ZNPP's power units towards Ukrainian-controlled communities of Nikopol and Marganets, which have been subjected to ongoing attacks.

Evidence obtained from radio electronic intelligence includes video footage from an enemy first-person-view (FPV) drone marked with the identifier UT4D.TT, indicating its supply to Russian occupying forces by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

Andriy Chernyak, a representative of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, emphasized that Russian forces are utilizing the ZNPP's territory to launch drones. He highlighted the challenge faced by Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces, who are restricted from returning fire within a one-and-a-half-kilometer radius around the nuclear plant.

Furthermore, it has been noted that launch sites for these drones have been set up near the ZNPP's sixth reactor.

Additionally, reports indicate that since the summer of 2023, Russian forces have been using the captured nuclear facility for training FPV-drone pilots through a school known as "Archangel," which is financed by the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (formerly "GRU").