Day 166 Roundup: Any Attack on Nuclear Plant 'Suicidal,' UN Head Warns; Ukraine Strikes Bridges in Occupied Kherson
The Facts
- After Russia and Ukraine traded blame for a weekend rocket attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant – controlled by Russian forces since Mar. – the UN's Sec. General António Guterres condemned the attack and reiterated calls to give officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to the plant. The official did not apportion any blame for the strike.
- Speaking in Tokyo on Mon. following a visit to Hiroshima to mark the 77th anniversary of the world's first nuclear bomb attack, Guterres said: "Any attack to a nuclear plant is a suicidal thing. I hope that those attacks will end, and at the same time I hope that the IAEA will be able to access the plant."
- Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces reportedly struck two Russian-controlled bridges in the occupied southern region of Kherson. Russian media confirmed one of the attacks on Antonovskiy Bridge, reporting that construction equipment was damaged and that its reopening following a previous attack has been delayed. The Russian military have reportedly set up a ferry crossing while the bridge was being repaired.
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The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after an election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.
Metaculus Prediction
There is a 6% chance that there will be a serious radiation incident at any nuclear plant in Ukraine by 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
