A view shows Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, in Energodar, Zaporozhye region territory, March 19, 2025. (Photo: VCG)

Russia's Investigative Committee said on Thursday that it has opened a criminal case into the death of the chief engineer of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant after an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on his vehicle.

The committee's official representative, Svetlana Petrenko, said the investigation found that the vehicle carrying Alexander Yakovlev was struck by a Ukrainian drone on Wednesday in Enerhodar, killing the chief engineer and his driver and injuring a third passenger, a plant employee.

Yevgeny Balitsky, governor of the Russia-controlled part of the Zaporizhzhia region, reiterated on Wednesday that Ukraine has been actively trying to stop the operation of the nuclear plant by conducting massive drone strikes on energy facilities, shops, civilian vehicles and social infrastructure.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, one of Europe's largest nuclear power facilities, has been under Russian control since March 2022.