Russia and Ukraine have accused each other to this day of causing chaos in the area near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility in one of the escalations in the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned this week that a nuclear disaster may happen should the bombardments near the area continue.
In his nightly video address Monday, Zelenskyy warned of a near “radiation catastrophe” in the continued fighting in the area of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility. Zelenskyy added that even with an inspection by the UN nuclear watchdog, Russia would not care what the agency would say in its assessment.
“Again – already for the second time – because of Russian provocation, the Zaporizhzhia station was placed one step away from a radiation catastrophe,” said Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy’s comments come as the West and Russia are in the middle of an energy standoff as Moscow has kept its main gas pipeline to Germany shut.
The International Atomic Energy Agency released a statement, citing the information Ukraine provided, saying the facility’s backup power line was cut to extinguish a fire, but the line itself was not damaged and would be reconnected.
The IAEA added that the facility has enough electricity to operate safely and will be reconnected to the grid when the backup power is restored. The watchdog is set to release a fuller assessment on Tuesday.
Amidst the concerns over the nuclear facility, Kyiv has also reported progress being made by Ukrainian forces in its counter-offensive, which started last week. Ukrainian officials shared an image of troops raising a Ukrainian flag over a town in the occupied Kherson province in southern Ukraine.
Kyiv also told residents of Russian-annexed Crimea Monday to prepare bomb shelters and stock up on supplies as Ukrainian troops are set to move towards a major counter-attack to drive Russian forces out of the area.
This follows previous reminders by Ukraine to the residents of its southern territories to prepare and evacuate before they launch a counter-offensive.
Monday’s warning was notable as it addressed residents of Crimea. While the Black Sea peninsula is believed to be out of range of Ukrainian weapons, the recent explosions in air bases in the annexed region have questioned the belief. Kyiv has also denied claiming responsibility for the incidents.


Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 



