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Reflecto News | Russia-Ukraine War | Nuclear Safety
KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned Russian military strikes targeting Ukrainian nuclear power stations, calling the attacks “absolutely crazy” and warning of the catastrophic risks such actions pose to the entire continent.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmax, Zelensky highlighted the danger that Russia continues to pose to Ukraine’s nuclear infrastructure, particularly the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) — the largest nuclear facility in Europe .
“Russians are absolutely crazy to attack nuclear stations. It’s a very big risk for Europe, for the whole world. And still, they attack our stations.”
— President Volodymyr Zelensky
☢️ The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant: A Persistent Danger
The Zaporizhzhia plant has been under Russian military occupation since March 2022. While its six reactors are all in shutdown (cold shutdown), the plant still requires external power to cool spent fuel and run essential safety systems. The facility relies on backup diesel generators and a single 750‑kV power line to maintain cooling; any disruption to off‑site power could trigger a nuclear accident.
Recent incidents at Zaporizhzhia and other nuclear sites:
- Dnipro Hydroelectric Dam strike (March 2026) : A Russian missile strike on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Dam knocked out a key power line to the Zaporizhzhia plant, briefly forcing it to run on backup diesel power for several hours .
- Drone strikes (April 2026) : The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Russian forces conducted drone strikes that damaged critical safety systems at the plant, though the IAEA described the damage as not yet “critical to nuclear safety”.
- Chornobyl (October 2025) : A Russian drone strike damaged the protective shelter over the destroyed fourth reactor at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, causing a spike in radiation levels and damaging confinement infrastructure, though the shelter was not breached.
Zelensky has repeatedly warned that Russia is deliberately “weaponizing” the nuclear facilities, using them as military staging grounds because Ukrainian forces cannot return fire without risking a nuclear catastrophe. The IAEA has confirmed the presence of Russian troops and military equipment on the grounds of the Zaporizhzhia plant .
🌍 Global Reactions and IAEA Response
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has deployed a permanent mission to the Zaporizhzhia site, but monitors have limited access. Director‑General Rafael Grossi has called the situation “extremely fragile and dangerous,” warning that “a nuclear accident is a risk that none of us can afford.”
The IAEA also noted, in a statement to Reuters, that Russian military personnel remain stationed at the plant, despite repeated calls from the UN Security Council for their withdrawal. Russia continues to deny that its forces use the plant for military purposes, though photographic and video evidence posted by Russian state media contradicts these claims .
🇺🇸 The US Position
The Trump administration has condemned Russian attacks on Ukrainian nuclear infrastructure but has not materially changed US policy in response. Previous administrations imposed sanctions on Russia’s nuclear energy agency, Rosatom, though the current White House has not prioritized nuclear safety as a central component of its Ukraine policy . President Trump has not publicly commented on Zelensky’s latest warning .
🔮 What Comes Next
- Winter is approaching ; even small disruptions to Ukraine’s power grid could make it harder to maintain cooling at the Zaporizhzhia plant
- No diplomatic progress on demilitarizing the plant is expected; Russia shows no sign of withdrawing its forces
- The IAEA will continue to press for access, but can do little without a consensus in the UN Security Council
- Ukraine will continue its deep‑strike campaign against Russian military airfields and fuel depots, but cannot target the Zaporizhzhia plant itself without risking disaster
Zelensky’s “absolutely crazy” remark sums up the frustration of a nation fighting an enemy that holds Europe’s largest atomic facility hostage — with seemingly no end in sight .
📋 Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Zelensky’s Warning | “Russians are absolutely crazy to attack nuclear stations — a very big risk for Europe, for the whole world.” |
| Current Threat | Zaporizhzhia plant occupied since March 2022; requires external power to prevent meltdown |
| Recent Incidents | April 2026 drone strikes (critical safety systems damaged), March 2026 loss of power line to Dnipro dam strike, October 2025 Chornobyl drone strike |
| IAEA Position | Continues to warn of “extremely fragile and dangerous” situation; Russian troops still on site |
| Zelensky’s Charge | Russia is “weaponizing” the plant by using it as a military staging ground |
| Russian Denials | Russia denies using plant for military purposes (contradicted by photographic evidence) |
| US Response | Condemns attacks but no major policy shift; hasn’t prioritized nuclear safety in Ukraine strategy |
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