Russian propaganda outlets are spreading claims that Ukraine is allegedly preparing a «staged attack» on facilities linked to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station. According to this campaign, Kyiv allegedly intends to use such an incident as a pretext for further attacks on nuclear facilities in Russia. No evidence has been provided to support these claims, whilst a similar narrative has already been used by Russian propaganda to shift the blame for potential provocations.
- Russian sources claim that Ukraine is allegedly preparing a «staged attack» near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station.
- No evidence has been made public to suggest that Ukraine is preparing such an operation.
- Statements such as these may lay the groundwork for a future provocation.
What Russian propaganda is currently spreading
A new wave of reports claims that Ukraine is allegedly preparing a «staged attack» on facilities linked to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station. This narrative is gaining traction: propagandists are claiming that such an incident could supposedly be used by Kyiv as a pretext for strikes against nuclear power stations on Russian territory.
There is currently no confirmed evidence of this sort.
Why is an «information alibi» created?»
The tactic of levelling pre-emptive accusations against Ukraine has been observed on numerous occasions in the Russian media.
The Centre for Countering Disinformation has previously described similar campaigns as the creation of an «information alibi»: Ukraine is accused in advance of planning certain actions, after which this narrative can be used to justify Russian operations or to shift the blame.
Such statements are particularly dangerous when they concern nuclear facilities. Any serious incident at a nuclear power station is likely to attract international attention, and a public information campaign launched in advance makes it possible to quickly impose one’s own version of events.
Russia has already accused Ukraine of carrying out attacks on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station
In May 2026, Russian sources reported an alleged Ukrainian attack on the sixth power unit Zaporizhzhya NPP. The Ukrainian Defence Forces have denied this and stated that the Ukrainian military is aware of the consequences of any actions against nuclear facilities. According to the Ukrainian military, the Russian side has not provided any evidence to support its allegations.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station has been under the control of Russian forces since March 2022. The IAEA has also documented the presence of Russian military personnel and military equipment on the plant’s premises in its reports, and has repeatedly described the situation surrounding the facility as a serious risk to nuclear safety.
What does international law say?
Nuclear power stations enjoy special protection under international humanitarian law.
Article 56 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions provides that nuclear power stations must not be targeted if an attack could result in the release of dangerous forces and, consequently, heavy civilian casualties. The document provides for certain narrow exceptions; however, the general principle is to ensure the maximum protection of such facilities.
That is precisely why any information campaign concerning potential attacks on nuclear power stations requires particularly thorough fact-checking.
There is as yet no independently verified evidence of the «Ukrainian scenario» described by Russian sources. At the same time, the very emergence of such claims creates a narrative framework which, in the event of an incident, could be used to swiftly shift the blame onto Ukraine.
