In a shocking development, a Ukrainian car bomb has killed a top Russian official stationed at a nuclear power plant. Get the latest details on this incident and its impact on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to reports from both Ukrainian and Russian sources, an official at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is under Russian occupation, has been killed in a car bombing.
The attack is the latest event targeting individuals whom Kyiv has deemed “collaborators” or “traitors” for siding with Russian forces.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, known as the GUR, confirmed that Andriy Korotky was killed. He was identified as the “head of physical security” at the nuclear facility. The GUR reported that a car bomb caused an explosion on Friday morning.
The agency labeled Korotky as a “war criminal,” accusing him of willingly collaborating with Russian invaders by supplying information about “pro-Ukrainian” employees at the plant and contributing to the repression of its staff.
Officials supported by Russia at the facility confirmed Korotky’s death, identifying him as a former head of Enerhodar’s local council, where the nuclear plant is located. They denounced the event as a “terrorist attack carried out by the Kyiv regime.” The director appointed by Russia to oversee the plant, Yury Chernichuk, described the bombing as a “reckless” act that “must be punished.”
The Investigative Committee of Russia, responsible for major criminal investigations, reported that a homemade explosive device had been placed beneath Korotky’s car at his home and detonated when he started driving.
“The committee stated that the victim succumbed to his injuries in the hospital and noted that a criminal investigation has been initiated.”
The GUR also released a low-resolution video depicting a white SUV slowly moving forward before it suddenly explodes, filling the scene with debris and smoke.
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The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has become a central point of conflict, with Ukraine and Russia each blaming the other for activities that might trigger a nuclear disaster.
This incident is part of a string of car bombings aimed at pro-Russian individuals during the conflict. In November, reports indicate that Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov was killed near Berdyansk, a port city under Russian control in the same region. Similarly, in April, Valery Chaika—a deputy head of a state-operated agency in the Luhansk region annexed by Russia—also lost his life to a car bombing.
Ongoing Russian Drone Strikes Persist
During the night, Ukraine’s air force announced that Russian forces had targeted critical infrastructure with an attack involving 19 drones. Air defenses successfully shot down nine of these drones, while another seven were potentially disrupted by electronic jamming.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that an apartment building in the capital sustained damage, but fortunately, there were no casualties and the ensuing fire was swiftly brought under control. Meanwhile, in the central Kirovohrad region, a business facility suffered damage with one worker receiving minor injuries as confirmed by Governor Andriy Raykovych.
In the southern Kherson region, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin announced that Russian forces targeted essential infrastructure, utility facilities, and 35 private homes over the past day.
