The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns another dangerous escalation by the Russian Federation around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on 6 October, the Agency’s experts recorded multiple shelling incidents in the immediate vicinity of the facility, including explosions only 1.25 kilometres from its perimeter.

These actions constitute a deliberate provocation by Russia, once again demonstrating its utter disregard for international law, the IAEA Statute, and the Agency’s Seven Pillars of Nuclear Safety and Security. By intentionally creating risks around Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, Russia is threatening a nuclear disaster of continental scale.

Of particular concern is the fact that the ZNPP has been without external power supply for almost two weeks, relying solely on unstable backup sources. We view these attacks as part of Russia’s deliberate strategy to obstruct repair works and prevent the restoration of power transmission lines essential for ensuring a stable external electricity supply.

Ukraine, for its part, will continue close coordination with the IAEA and international partners to minimize risks, maintain operational repair readiness, and restore appropriate nuclear and radiation safety conditions at the ZNPP as swiftly as possible.

We call on our partners to adopt additional collective political and sanctions-based measures to stop Russia’s nuclear blackmail and prevent a catastrophe that would have cross-border consequences for the entire European continent.

Ukraine firmly reiterates: nuclear safety must never be a bargaining chip.

The restoration of the plant’s external power supply, the complete demilitarization of the site, and the return of the ZNPP under Ukraine’s full control are essential and urgent steps to protect the lives and health of millions of people.