Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv denies its drone ‘deliberately’ hit Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

On 31 May 2026, Russia said a Ukrainian drone struck the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Rosatom said Ukraine 'deliberately' attacked the plant, and Kyiv denied striking it. The Guardian and the Associated Press reported Kyiv's denial, and the AP reported that Ukraine hit Russian energy targets.

The IAEA said the plant was hit by a drone and that it was concerned about damage, according to France 24 and La Repubblica, while Der Spiegel reported that the IAEA measured no elevated radiation after the attack. Russia's foreign ministry warned of a threat to the whole world, Miroshnik spoke of nuclear terrorism by Kyiv, and Ulyanov published photos of the aftermath.