Russia, Ukraine warn of attack on nuclear plant

The Kremlin warned on Wednesday that Kyiv could be preparing a provocation at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, a flashpoint of concern in the conflict in Ukraine.

“The situation is quite tense because the threat of sabotage from the Kyiv regime is really high — sabotage that could have catastrophic consequences,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The comments come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that Russia was planning “dangerous provocations” at the plant, the largest in Europe. Russia and Ukraine have regularly accused each other of putting the plant’s safety at risk since the Kremlin launched hostilities in Ukraine last February.

Meanwhile, Russia said on Wednesday that one person was killed and another 41 injured, including two children, by Ukrainian fire in the east Ukraine town of Makiivka, located 15 km east from Donetsk, controlled by Russian forces.

Ukraine’s military said it had destroyed a Russian “formation” in Makiivka and released video showing a huge explosion lighting up the night sky.

The Hindu

(International)