Russia MoD: Ukraine troops, mercenaries fail in taking control of ZNPP
Moscow reports the deaths of 47 Ukrainian service personnel, including 10 foreign mercenaries, and at least 20 wounded.
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Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.
Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed that Ukraine made another attempt to take over the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant on Friday. The ministry revealed some information about Ukraine's failed operation.
More than 40 motor boats, divided into two groups, carried over 150 Ukrainian special operations forces in addition to foreign mercenaries.
According to the ministry, the troops tried to land on the coast of the Kakhovka dam not far from Energodar where the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant is located.
Quickly detected by the Russian forces, the troops were targeted by Su-30 jets and Ka-52 attack helicopters, sinking around 20 boats. As the surviving troops were retreating, they were targeted by Russian artillery.
Moscow reported the deaths of 47 Ukrainian service personnel, including 10 foreign mercenaries, and at least 20 wounded.
Earlier today, a member of the administration of Energodar, Vladimir Rogov, claimed that Ukrainian forces launched another raid, using several speedboats, against the Russian-held Energodar town shortly after midnight on Saturday.
The latest purported failed Ukrainian operation came barely two days after Kiev forces reportedly attempted to take the Zaporozhye NPP shortly before a team of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) specialists, including the organization's chief, Rafael Grossi, arrived at the facility for an inspection. According to the Russian military, the unsuccessful September 1 operation aimed at seizing the nuclear plant and using UN nuclear watchdog personnel as "human shields" to sustain control over the facility.
The latest attacks occurred after the main IAEA delegation left, despite Grossi's claim that six of the agency's specialists remained in Energodar. Four of them will return after the weekend, while two will remain at the ZNPP to maintain a "permanent presence."
Energodar and the Zaporozhye plant have been under Russian control since early March and had operated without interruption until July when drone and artillery assaults began. According to Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, 29 strikes on the Zaporozhye complex have taken place since July 18, including 120 artillery shells and 16 kamikaze drones.
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