The Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine reports that a group of Russian K-52 attack helicopters “worked” over the city, and attacked residential areas. A mortar strike was inflicted in the immediate vicinity of the ZNPP territory and nuclear reactors.

According to the mayor of Energodar Dmitry Orlov, as of 8 am, it is known about hitting the residential buildings on three streets, private homestead houses in cooperatives, the emergency room of a hospital and kindergartens. There are dead and injured, but the exact number is still unknown.

As a result of another mortar attack at 4.57 am by the Russian occupation forces on the site of the Zaporizhzhia plant, the emergency protection triggered and the operating power unit 5 was switched off, Energoatom informed. According to the company, the ZNPP-330 kV in-house backup power line was also damaged. In the transitional mode, there was a blackout of the switched-off power unit 2 with the start-up of diesel generators. Power unit 6 continues to operate in the energy system of Ukraine and at the same time energized the plant’s in-house consumers, and the ZNPP personnel eliminate the consequences of occupiers’ shelling, the company informs.

The Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine stresses that the morning shelling is part of a plan to provoke the IAEA mission, aimed at creating the right picture for the Kremlin. Obviously, the occupiers will traditionally try to accuse the Armed Forces of Ukraine of shelling the station and civilians. “Once again we call on the world community to provide an adequate assessment of the actions of the occupiers, ensure the efficient and safe work of the IAEA team and contribute to the complete demilitarization of the city of Energodar”, the statement says.

In turn, the IAEA Director General and head of the mission, Rafael Marianno Grossi, said that knowing about “increased military activity in the area” he plans to continue the mission to the facility and meet with its personnel. “After we've come this far, we're not stopping”, he said.

According to Alexander Starukh, head of the Zaporizhzhia state administration, the Russians are shelling the pre-agreed route of the IAEA mission from the city of Zaporizhzhia to the ZNPP. The UN advance team cannot proceed for security reasons. “Ukraine continues to make efforts to ensure the safe access of the IAEA international mission to the ZNPP. We demand that the Russian Federation stop provocations and provide unimpeded access for the IAEA to the Ukrainian nuclear facility”, he said in his statement.

Meanwhile, Russian telegram channels and propaganda media rotate the myth of a “Ukrainian landing” on “7 boats” on the territory of the Kakhovka reservoir, which is mined by the way according to preliminary reports along the entire coast.