Moscow: Ukraine Attacked Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant; Kyiv: It Was Russia's Doing

On Monday, April 8, Russia claimed that Ukraine attacked the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is under Russian control, three times on Sunday. However, Ukraine attributed these attacks to Russia, emphasizing that it had no connection to them. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose experts are stationed at the site, stated that this is the first time the plant has been directly targeted since its occupation by Russia. This international body noted that the attack on this plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, has jeopardized nuclear safety. Russian forces took control of the plant shortly after their full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early March 2022. Both Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused each other of escalating the risk of a nuclear incident through attacks. Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear corporation, reported that Ukraine attacked the plant three times with drones on Sunday, injuring three people near a cafeteria in the first attack, followed by an attack on a warehouse, and the third targeting the dome above reactor number 6. The company emphasized in a statement that 'the radiation level at the plant and surrounding areas has not changed.' An intelligence official from Ukraine stated that Kyiv has no connection to the attacks on the plant and that these attacks were carried out by the Russians. The IAEA confirmed that its experts have verified three drone attacks. Rafael Grossi, the agency's director general, stressed that although reactor 6 was not harmed, a nuclear power plant should never be targeted under any circumstances. Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine resulted in 8 deaths and 12 injuries. Russian attacks on Kharkiv claimed the lives of at least eight Ukrainian civilians. Russia is seeking to advance in eastern Ukraine; Kyiv claims to have shot down six Russian military aircraft. Finland has extended the closure of land borders with Russia for an 'indefinite' period. Ukraine stated that the establishment of a NATO financial aid fund is not possible without 'mandatory participation' from members.