Russia says it prevented Ukrainian drone attack on Smolensk nuclear power plant

The Soviet-era Smolensk nuclear power station, is about 330 km southwest of Moscow near the border with Belarus

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said that it had prevented a Ukrainian drone attack on the Smolensk nuclear power plant in western Russiaon Sunday.

The Soviet-era Smolensk nuclear power station, about 330 km (200 miles) southwest of Moscow near the border with Belarus, has three RBMK reactors - the same basic design as the reactors at the Chernobyl nuclear power station.

The FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, said that Russian radio-electronic warfare systems intercepted a Ukrainian drone over the territory of the Smolensk nuclear power station.

"Electronic warfare forces intercepted an aircraft-type UAV - a Ukrainian-made 'Spis' attack UAV - over the territory of the Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant," the FSB said in a statement.

"The Ukrainian armed forces continue provocations in the form of an attempted attack by unmanned aerial vehicles on Russian nuclear energy facilities."

The Smolensk nuclear power station said it was operating as normal. There was no reported damage to any of the reactors or key operating infrastructure.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti published pictures which showed what it said were parts of the drone. Russia's defence ministry said the Ukrainian drone had been heading towards the Smolensk nuclear power station, Interfax reported.

Reuters was unable to immediately verify battlefield reports from either side. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine on the Russian reports.