The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly dismissed allegations from Russia that Ukraine conducted an attack on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). This statement follows claims made by representatives of the Russian state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, on May 30.
The Ukrainian government characterized these accusations as part of an information operation aimed at distracting the international community from the real source of nuclear danger at the ZNPP: the illegal Russian occupation of the facility. The ministry highlighted the illogical nature of the Russian claims, questioning why Ukraine would target its own nuclear facility, which it seeks to regain control over.
“The Russian accusations lack logic: it is unclear why Ukraine would strike its own nuclear power plant located on its territory, which it aims to return under its sovereign control. Russian propaganda continues to promote the absurd notion that a state defending its territory is attacking its own nuclear facilities, while the occupying state claims to be their ‘protector.’ The very necessity of repeating this assertion indicates its implausibility,” the ministry stated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also pointed out that Russia has consistently refused to grant full access to international experts at the ZNPP, particularly to the western sections of the turbine halls of the reactor units.
“Ukraine draws the attention of the IAEA member states to the obvious pattern: practically before every meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors, the Russian Federation initiates a new wave of information manipulation concerning the ZNPP. While the details, motives, and phrasing may change, the objective remains constant—diverting the international community’s attention from the illegal occupation of the plant, systematic restrictions on IAEA activities, violations of international law by Russia, and the fact that the Russian military presence at the ZNPP constitutes the primary threat to nuclear safety,” the ministry added.
This latest provocation occurs ahead of the June session of the IAEA Board of Governors, during which member states will review the Agency’s Annual Report for 2025 and the Director General’s Report on the application of safeguards.
“For Russia, these documents pose a significant political challenge. They will again confirm that Moscow has unsuccessfully attempted for four consecutive years to alter the narrative: the IAEA does not recognize any Russian claims over the ZNPP; it does not acknowledge any Russian jurisdiction over Ukrainian nuclear facilities located in temporarily occupied territories; and the Agency continues to assert that the ZNPP is a Ukrainian nuclear facility under illegal Russian occupation. The same applies to other Ukrainian nuclear facilities in temporarily occupied territories, including those in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, such as the Sevastopol research reactor and the subcritical nuclear installation, over which Russia has unsuccessfully attempted to assert its illegal claims,” the statement noted.
Furthermore, Ukraine has urged the 34 member states of the IAEA Board of Governors to respond decisively to Russia’s actions, not only through statements but also through concrete decisions.
Background on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
The ZNPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, has been under Russian military control since March 4, 2022. Russian forces have positioned military equipment and munitions at the site. They have also shelled the plant, damaging power lines and causing outages, while accusing the Ukrainian Armed Forces of these attacks. On October 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the transfer of the ZNPP to federal ownership. Additionally, Russia has established a company to manage the plant. The Ukrainian energy company Energoatom described this decision as “null and void,” emphasizing that the Russian annexation of Ukrainian territories and the ZNPP holds no significance for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected Russian claims of an attack on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, labeling them as a diversion from the ongoing illegal occupation. The ministry emphasizes the need for international oversight and accountability regarding the situation at the plant.