The International Atomic Energy Agency reports three direct hits against reactor containment structures at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Three Ukrainian war prisoners shot dead in Kherson region. Here’s what is known. A Russian missile strike on an industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia kills three, injures eight others.
UN nuclear agency reports three direct hits against reactor containment structure at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
The Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine was targeted in a drone attack on Sunday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said. The drone strike included three direct hits against the facility’s main reactor containment, the agency’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, said on X.
The experts of the UN nuclear agency permanently based at the plant “reported hearing explosions and rifle fire on the site throughout the day,” the IAEA said in a statement Sunday. The agency said that its inspectors were on the roof of one unit at the plant when they witnessed Russian troops engaging “what appeared to be an approaching drone.” “They were able to confirm the physical impact of the drone detonations, including at one of the site’s six reactor buildings where surveillance and communication equipment appeared to have been targeted,” the report said. At one of the impact locations, outside a laboratory, the agency’s experts saw blood stains next to a damaged military logistics vehicle, “indicating at least one casualty.”
Security situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is deteriorating because of what Russian forces are doing there. There was no reagent leak after a drone allegedly exploded at the plant, Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Department of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry told The New Voice of Ukraine.
“Time and time again, [the Russians] are attempting to stage provocations and blame them on Ukraine,” Yusov said. “It was Russia that has carried out imitation strikes and actual attacks on the Zaporizhzhia plant, even after it was seized by Russian forces. They have deployed their troops and weapons there, in blatant violation of international law, particularly, nuclear law,” Yusov added.
Russia has been systematically committing crimes at the plant, he added. Russian forces have laid mines around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and international experts confirmed that. Russia also launched drones from the plant.
“[Russia] stages yet another provocation at a Ukrainian nuclear site in order to blame it on Ukraine. Yet the whole world knows that the Russian occupying force is responsible for the catastrophic state of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant,” Yusov said.
In a comment to Ukrainska Pravda earlier on Sunday, Yusov denied Ukraine’s involvement in the strikes at the plant. Russia must withdraw troops from all its sites, he added.
Three Ukrainian war prisoners shot dead in Kherson region. Here’s what is known
Ukrainian war correspondent Andriy Tsapliyenko released a footage that is alleged to show Russian servicemen shooting dead three immobile Ukrainian soldiers. They were taken prisoner near Krynky, in Kherson region, he said. Ukrainian blogger and volunteer Serhiy Sternenko posted the same video.
The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine opened an inquiry into the execution of unarmed service members. Systematic prisoner killing shows that it is backed by the top Russian military command, it said in a statement.
Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets has appealed to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross. “[The footage] must become an evidence base for the tribunal against criminals,” Lubinets said on Telegram.
Spokesperson for Ukraine’s southern military command, Colonel Natalia Humenyuk said on Monday that the details of the alleged execution of Ukrainian service members are being investigated.
Ukrainian investigative outlet evocation.info has named the commander 328th regiment of the 104th division of the Russian army, Sergey Ishtuganov as having given the order for the execution. This was done to intimidate Ukrainian troops.
Ishtuganov served in the 31st air assault brigade when Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The unit was deployed to Hostomel, in Kyiv region, where it took heavy losses. It was dissolved after the battles in Donetsk region. In autumn 2023, Ishtuganov was appointed the commander of the 328th regiment that has been stationed in the Kherson direction since November 2023.
Ukraine’s Coordination Center for the Treatment of Prisoners of War is collecting and verifying information on the Russian war crime, Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Department of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry told Liga.net.
Russian missile strike on industrial site in Zaporizhzhia kills three, injures eight others
A Russian missile attack on Monday hit an industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia, killing three people and injuring at least eight others, head of the regional military administration, Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram.
An industrial site, seven apartment blocks, and a medical facility were damaged in the attack, Secretary of the Zaporizhzhia City Council, Anatoliy Kurtiev said.
Regional Resilience: Ukraine’s Path to Victory. Ukraine in Flames #594
In this episode of Ukraine in Flames, we discuss how individual regions of Ukraine are working for victory. From Bezhin’s insights into the indispensable role of local self-governments amidst wartime challenges to Sadovyi’s emphasis on supporting armed forces, veterans, and education in Lviv, and Syniehubov’s reflections on reconstruction efforts in the Kharkiv region, we delve into the strategies and resilience displayed across Ukraine’s territories in the face of adversity. Take a watch of UIF #594 to find out moreabout how regional administrations are supporting Ukraine’s war and survival efforts, and how unity is the key that holds this success together.
Guests:
- Vitalii Bezghin, MP, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Administrative Reform.
- Andriy Sadovyi, Lviv mayor,
- Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Regional State Administration.
