Russia’s Assault on Europe’s Largest Nuclear Facility Deemed a War Crime

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for Europe to “wake up” following a Russian attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which started a fire near one of its reactors. This facility, the largest of its kind in Europe, was seized by Russian forces on Friday after artillery strikes. Despite no reports of radiation leaks, the attack was condemned globally, with both Ukraine and the U.S. embassy in Kyiv labeling it a war crime.

Ukrainian authorities confirmed that the plant’s reactors were either shut down or operating at reduced power, leaving uncertainty about the future supply of electricity for millions of Ukrainians. Workers were unable to inspect all safety infrastructure in the aftermath, raising concerns about the long-term impact on the plant’s operation.