The Russian authorities have denounced the use by the Ukrainian Armed Forces of weapons supplied by member countries of the Atlantic Alliance in alleged attacks on the Zaporiyia nuclear power plant over the weekend.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the «numerous artillery attacks» on Zaporiyia and the power plant facilities were carried out with «NATO 155 caliber ammunition».
Zakharova accused Western powers and NATO members of having given «carte blanche» to Ukraine to «continue reckless attempts to cause irreparable damage to the Zaporiyia nuclear power plant».
«In fact, they are complicit in the crimes committed by Kiev, for which there is no justification,» denounced the Russian diplomacy spokeswoman, who regretted that Ukraine has «unlimited support» from the West.
«Fortunately, significant damage to the Zaporiyia nuclear power plant was avoided, there was no release of radiation,» Zakharova said in a statement carried by the Russian diplomatic portfolio.
However, despite the fact that the situation has apparently not escalated, Zakharova insisted that the situation in the area is on «a critical line» and that it «most probably could lead to a man-made disaster».
Finally, the Russian diplomatic representative has accused Kiev of continuing to «play with fire» by carrying out «serious and irresponsible» provocations against nuclear facilities. «The international community must know who is behind the attacks,» she said, thus defending herself against accusations that it is Moscow that is launching attacks on the infrastructure.