Putin Threatens Strikes on Ukrainian Nuclear Plants Amid Zaporizhzhia Power Dispute

Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been repeatedly disconnected from the national power grid, which Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, allege is a deliberate Russian tactic to link the plant to Russia's energy system and increase risks of a nuclear catastrophe. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of targeting the power lines feeding the plant and threatened retaliatory strikes on Ukrainian nuclear facilities, warning Kyiv that Russia could respond "in kind" to any attacks. The plant has been in blackout multiple times, with Ukrainian authorities emphasizing the dangerous situation, especially as cooling systems are dependent on generators during power outages. Russian officials claim Ukrainian artillery prevents their crews from repairing the power lines, while independent reports found no evidence of military strikes near the plant's supply lines, suggesting possible intentional sabotage. The European Union has called for Russia to withdraw forces from the plant and return control to Ukraine, highlighting the plant's safety as a critical concern amid ongoing conflict. Both sides accuse each other of endangering nuclear safety, raising fears of escalation with potentially catastrophic consequences.