Ukraine kills Russian official at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in car bomb

A Ukrainian car bomb attack has killed an official of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, officials from both countries said, in the latest attack against high-profile individuals branded “collaborators” and “traitors” by Kyiv for working with Russian forces.

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, the GUR, said a car bomb blast on Friday morning killed Andriy Korotky, whom it identified as the “head of physical security” at the nuclear site.

It called him a “war criminal” who “voluntarily cooperated with the Russian invaders”, provided details on “pro-Ukrainian” plant employees and “participated in the repression” of the plant’s staff.

Russian-backed authorities at the facility said Korotky was a former head of the local council in Russian-controlled Enerhodar, the city where the nuclear power plant is located.

They added Korotky had been killed in a “terrorist attack committed by the Kyiv regime”. The plant’s director, Yury Chernichuk, appointed by Russia, called it a “reckless” attack that “must be punished”.

Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said an improvised explosive device was placed under his car at home, which then detonated when he started driving.

“The victim died of his injuries in hospital,” it said, adding that a criminal case had been opened.

The GUR posted a low-quality video showing a white SUV driving slowly before exploding, obliterating the car and spreading debris and smoke all around.