The Kremlin is using allegations of Ukrainian strikes on the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) to justify a potential escalation of hostilities and intensified long-range attacks against Ukraine, according to a new assessment by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on May 31.

ISW noted that the Russian-installed administration at the ZNPP reported two Ukrainian attacks on the facility on May 30 and 31. According to Russian claims, the first strike damaged the turbine hall of the plant’s sixth power unit, while the second targeted a transport workshop.

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