Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has issued a stark warning following Moscow's claim that a Ukrainian drone targeted equipment at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Medvedev stated that any catastrophic damage to a nuclear facility could trigger a 'new Chernobyl' and warned that Russia could respond with strikes on Ukrainian nuclear plants and even nuclear facilities in NATO countries involved in the conflict.
Alleged Attack and Denials
The warning came after Russia alleged that Ukraine carried out its first direct attack on critical equipment at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Kyiv has strongly denied the accusation, with Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces insisting that Ukrainian troops did not strike the facility. Instead, they accused Moscow of using the plant for 'nuclear blackmail' and information warfare.
International Concerns
The incident has raised international concerns about the safety of nuclear facilities in conflict zones. The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest nuclear power station, has been under Russian control since early in the war. Previous shelling and attacks have damaged infrastructure but did not directly target critical equipment until now, according to Russian claims.
Potential Escalation
Medvedev's threat to strike nuclear plants in NATO countries marks a significant escalation in rhetoric. He warned that any further attacks on Russian nuclear infrastructure would be met with a proportionate response, potentially involving nuclear facilities in nations supporting Ukraine. This has sparked fears of a broader conflict involving the alliance.
Ukraine has consistently maintained that it does not target civilian infrastructure, including nuclear plants, and has called for international monitoring of the Zaporizhzhia site. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly urged both sides to avoid actions that could jeopardize nuclear safety.
