The Defense Forces have refuted Russia's statements regarding an alleged strike on the sixth power unit of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, as stated on Saturday by the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine on Facebook, UNN reports.
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"The Russian Federation continues to use the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as a tool for nuclear blackmail and information provocations. Reports spread by occupation resources about an alleged strike by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on ZNPP facilities are another attempt to discredit Ukraine and conceal their own criminal actions," the statement emphasizes.
The Defense Forces of Ukraine did not strike power unit No. 6 of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Ukrainian servicemen act exclusively within the norms of international humanitarian law and are aware of the consequences of any actions against nuclear facilities. It is the Russian Federation that has illegally held the ZNPP under military control since March 2022, turning a civilian nuclear facility into an element of military infrastructure,
As indicated, the enemy violates requirements regarding the placement of firepower within a five-kilometer zone, placing electronic warfare equipment, weapons, military hardware, and personnel on the territory of the plant.
"Systematic manipulations around nuclear safety issues are components of the policy of nuclear terrorism that Russia is carrying out against Ukraine and the international community," the statement notes.
The Russian side's statements about an alleged strike by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant are another information provocation by the aggressor state, as this is not Moscow's first such statement. The scheme is well-established: after regular losses at the front, a loud accusation against Ukraine appears, designed to shift the attention of the international audience. Traditionally, the Russian side provides no evidence—and this time was no exception,
The ZNPP, as indicated, is located approximately 50 km from the land section of the line of active combat. Nikopol—the nearest city in Ukrainian-controlled territory—is located on the other side of the former Kakhovka Reservoir, at least 10 km from the plant.
"The aggressor intentionally does not show high-quality photo and video footage of the alleged consequences of the strike. Furthermore, the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not have fiber-optic controlled drones with such a long range, nor drones with a shaped-charge warhead weighing 5–6 kg, as that is exactly what would be required to punch a hole like the one the Russian side is talking about. Additionally, the occupation forces themselves have set up multi-level smoke protection around the ZNPP—a device physically could not fly through it unnoticed. The version promoted by Russia does not withstand any factual verification," the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine underlined.
"The Armed Forces of Ukraine act within the framework of international humanitarian law. Article 56 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions expressly prohibits attacks on nuclear facilities. The AFU complies with it. In the relevant sector of the front during the period of the incident, no active hostilities were conducted, and no means of destruction were used," the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine emphasized.
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