Russia has been in control of the Zaporizhzhia plant in Ukraine, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, since soon after it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The plant is dormant as Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused each other of trying to sabotage its operations and endangering safety around the plant.

The attack comes as Ukraine continues an incursion into Russia, claiming to have taken control of 82 settlements over an area of 1,150sq km in the Kursk region since Aug 6.

Separately, Russia’s RIA news agency cited the acting Russian representative in Vienna, Roman Ustinov, as saying that Moscow wanted to discuss the attack on the Zaporizhzhia plant with the leadership of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Russia also wants the IAEA to warn Ukraine against repeating such attacks, Ustinov said.

The plant’s six dormant reactors, located close to the frontline of the war, rely on external power to keep their nuclear material cool and prevent a catastrophic accident.