Worker at Russian-controlled nuclear power plant killed in car bomb, Reuters investigators say

MOSCOW (Reuters) – An employee at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine was killed in a car bomb attack on Friday morning, Russian investigators said, in an attack the plant blamed Ukraine.

Russia’s Investigative Committee, which investigates serious crimes, said the employee, Andrei Korotkiy, died after a bomb placed under his car exploded outside his home in the town of Enerhodar, where the factory is located.

Korotkiy worked in the factory’s security department, the Committee said. A criminal case was opened for his death.

In a statement, the factory accused Ukrainian authorities of orchestrating the crime. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

“This is a terrible, inhumane act,” said factory director Yuri Chernichuk, vowing punishment for the attackers.

“An attack on employees who ensure the safety of the nuclear facility is a reckless, outrageous step,” he added.

Russian forces seized the Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe’s largest with six reactors, shortly after entering Ukraine in February 2022 in what Moscow called a “special military operation”. The factory is currently not operating.

Both sides have regularly accused each other of organizing attacks on the factory, which both deny.

The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, has permanently stationed monitors at the plant. He urged both sides to desist from all attacks on him.