The situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
The Russian Foreign Ministry asserts that Kyiv has effectively placed Europe at risk by continuing to strike the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is under Russian military control and overseen by Ukrainian operators from Energoatom. The ministry’s statement accuses Kyiv of targeting not only Russia and Ukraine but the broader European region, suggesting that the actions amount to holding Europe hostage while using the facility to advance aims tied to Nazi symbolism. Russian diplomats further claim that Ukrainian strikes endanger the plant itself by aiming at equipment that supports reactors and nuclear waste storage. The ministry’s spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, warned that the danger grows with each passing day and said that Moscow relays updated on-the-ground information to the IAEA, which purportedly reflects Ukrainian military crimes in the agency’s circulars.
The Russian Foreign Ministry added that Moscow has long urged the international community to condemn Kyiv’s continued military actions near the nuclear site and noted that the risk is escalating daily.
What is happening?
Since March, Zaporizhzhia NPP has been under Russian military control with operations overseen by Energoatom personnel from Ukraine. On the night of August 7, Ukrainian forces launched a strike using the Uragan multiple launch rocket system onto the plant site, with fragments landing about 400 meters from the main power unit.
The head of Russia’s National Defense Control Center, Mikhail Mizintsev, stated that the safety of critical infrastructure was maintained thanks to the actions of Russian army units.
Damage was reported to a high-voltage line and a surge in power that caused smoke in the switchgear. To prevent a broader disruption at the station, technical staff reduced the output of the fifth and sixth power units to 500 megawatts.
If a man-made disaster occurred at Zaporizhzhia, western regions of Ukraine including Nikopol, Zaporozhye, and Krivoy Rog would be among the initial areas at risk of radiation exposure.
Who is blamed and what is proposed
Russian defenses ministry sources attributed the shelling to Ukrainian forces from the 44th artillery brigade, operating from Marganets on the opposite bank of the Kakhovka Reservoir.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied that the Ukrainian armed forces bombed Zaporizhzhia and instead pointed to Russian actions. A spokesperson for the Russian Defense Ministry called the incident a nuclear terrorist act directed at Kiev’s energy infrastructure.
U.S. officials urged Moscow to halt all military activity near Ukraine’s nuclear facilities and to restore control to Kyiv. The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, expressed concern and offered to lead a mission focusing on safety, protection, and security at nuclear sites. He signaled readiness for IAEA expertise to assess the Zaporizhzhia site.
Statements from a Russian federation council leader labeled the Zelensky administration as responsible for nuclear terrorism. The United Nations Secretary-General called for an end to attacks on nuclear power plants, warning that such assaults amount to a dangerous act. The UN chief expressed hope that the IAEA would gain access to the plant and exercise its mandate.
Russia’s ambassador in Vienna indicated willingness to assist IAEA leadership in arranging a visit to the plant and emphasized Moscow’s interest in receiving information from the IAEA about the situation, taking into account ongoing information campaigns and actions alleged to be inspired by Kiev’s leadership. These remarks reflect Moscow’s broader narrative about disinformation related to the region.
Notes and framing in this report reflect the claims of the involved parties and the responses from international bodies as they relate to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and associated safety concerns. Marked citations and attribution are provided to reflect the sources of information on the evolving situation.