Military expert Alexei Zhivov criticized Ukraine for targeting Russian nuclear power plants, labeling the actions as part of a broader war strategy that disregards international rules of conflict. In an October 8 statement to Lenta.Ru, Zhivov emphasized that Ukraine’s repeated attacks on facilities such as Zaporizhia, Kursk, and Novovoronezh reflect a pattern of sabotage and terrorism against civilian infrastructure.
He argued that while nuclear power plants can be protected through layered air defense systems, Ukraine’s tactics aim to disrupt energy supplies and destabilize populations. Zhivov highlighted the October 7 drone strike on the Novovoronezh NPP’s cooling tower, noting that although no damage or injuries were reported, the incident underscored Ukraine’s willingness to target critical infrastructure.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the attack did not compromise nuclear safety or radiation levels, with head Rafael Grossi reiterating that nuclear facilities “should never be attacked.” The statement came amid reports of 212 settlements liberated by Russian forces this year.
