Photo: RIA Novosti/Konstantin Mikhalchevsky
Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), has warned that shelling of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant by Ukraine’s Armed Forces on May 18 and 19 has brought Europe dangerously close to a nuclear catastrophe — one whose consequences could surpass those of the Chernobyl disaster.
On May 21, Polyansky stated: “By its actions last week, the regime of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has recklessly placed Europe on the brink of an atomic disaster. The risk of such a catastrophe having implications beyond the Chernobyl accident is real.”
According to Polyansky, during the night of May 18-19, Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale attack on critical infrastructure at the plant using unmanned aerial vehicles. He noted that kamikaze drones deliberately targeted areas housing power units and recorded artillery strikes on the facility.
Polyansky emphasized that Kyiv’s authorities have created an immediate threat to radiation safety. He also pointed out the lack of European efforts to stop such provocations, stating that without proper international intervention, Ukraine’s attacks on nuclear infrastructure are likely to continue.
Additionally, Zaporizhia NPP Director Yuriy Chernichuk reported on May 19 that Ukrainian forces attacked medical facilities in Energodar, damaging emergency response vehicles and the ministry of emergency services’ vehicle. IAEA inspectors stationed at the plant were immediately alerted to the incident.
International authorities have indicated potential tightening of reactor safety regulations due to APU attacks on nuclear power plants, and a new rotation of IAEA experts is planned for the site.
