Accusations Over Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Fire
- Moscow and Kyiv are blaming each other for the fire at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
- The cause of the fire is unknown, raising tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
- The situation becomes more complex as accusations continue on day 902.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on Monday that its representatives inspected a damaged cooling tower at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, which is under Russian control. The inspection followed a fire at the facility over the weekend, with both Moscow and Kyiv trading accusations regarding its cause. Russia attributed the fire to a drone attack, while Ukraine suggested it was a result of Russian negligence or deliberate arson. In a significant development on the battlefield, Ukraine announced its largest cross-border assault to date, claiming control over 1,000 square kilometers of territory in Russia's Kursk region. Ukrainian Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi informed President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that this incursion included the capture of 28 settlements, marking a notable advance into Russian territory. This assertion was met with a more conservative estimate from Russia's acting regional governor, who acknowledged a setback for Russian forces. During a meeting with his national security council, President Vladimir Putin characterized the Ukrainian offensive as an attempt to bolster Kyiv's negotiating position ahead of potential peace talks. He emphasized the need to confront what he termed "Russian terrorists" directly, indicating a continued commitment to military action. Meanwhile, Russia's defense ministry claimed its troops had intensified their operations in the eastern Donetsk region, successfully capturing the hamlet of Lysychne. Additionally, Ukrainian authorities revealed an investigation into a smuggling scheme involving mining equipment from a state-owned enterprise in the conflict zone.