MOSCOW – Russia's Defense Ministry said on Saturday that Russian troops targeted energy and transport infrastructure serving the Ukrainian military, and shot down 540 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours.

The ministry said in a statement that Russia's operational-tactical aviation, assault drones and missile units carried out strikes against facilities storing long-range drones, energy and transport infrastructure sustaining Ukrainian military operations. The ministry added that strikes also targeted temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed units and foreign mercenaries across 142 sites.

The ministry also said that Russian air defense systems intercepted 540 Ukrainian drones and 15 precision-guided bombs during the same period.

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant struck

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on Saturday said its transport workshop was damaged as the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked "again."

"As a result of the strikes, three cars were damaged, two of which were completely destroyed by fire. The refueling pumps and the glazing of the workshop building were also damaged," the plant said on social media, adding that Ukrainian forces continued their attempts to disrupt its personnel delivery system and logistics supply chain.

Despite the strike, the plant remains under full operational control, it said, adding that "the plant's safe operation is ensured, and all necessary systems are functioning normally. Radiation levels within the plant and its surrounding area remain within normal limits."

As Europe's largest nuclear facility, the power plant has repeatedly experienced disruptions of external power supply since the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.