Ukraine accuses Russia of “nuclear terrorism” after missile strike

Nuclear operator Energoatom said Monday that Russian missiles landed within 300 meters of the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant. None of the facility’s three nuclear reactors suffered damage. The plant is the second-largest of four nuclear power plants in Ukraine, smaller only than the one in Zaporizhzhia. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry released a black-and-white video showing two fireballs throwing up an incandescent shower of sparks just after midnight. The ministry called the attack “nuclear terrorism.”

Why did Russia target this location? Vladimir Putin pledged Friday to step up attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure. Russian forces lost control of some Ukrainian territory in recent weeks. The mayor of Enerhodar, where the Zaporizhzhia plant is located, reported more Russian shelling Monday in the city’s industrial zone. Ukraine’s presidential office said Monday that shelling killed eight civilians and wounded 22.

Dig deeper: Read Jill Nelson’s cover story in WORLD magazine about the quest to hold Russia accountable for war crimes committed in Ukraine.