During a visit to Ireland, U.S. President Donald Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to cease attacks on Russian fuel production and distribution infrastructure. “We discussed this with Mr. Zelensky. There are many other targets to hit. But do not strike the fuel infrastructure,” Trump told reporters.
Trump emphasized the need for Ukraine to stop damaging Russia’s diesel reserves as the conflict continues. His statements come amid ongoing Ukrainian strikes aimed at disrupting Russia’s fuel supply and its ability to sustain military operations.
Russia Claims Ukraine Attacked Diesel Trucks, Endangering Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
Earlier on Sunday, the head of Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation, accused Ukraine of attacking diesel trucks, thereby deliberately jeopardizing the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is located in Ukraine but has been under Russian control since the war began.
This attack reportedly occurred on Friday, resulting in the deaths of two Russian soldiers and injuries to several others, as stated by Rosatom director Alexey Likhachev in a statement published on Sunday. According to Likhachev, Ukrainian forces launched a series of coordinated strikes on trucks delivering diesel to the Zaporizhzhia plant.
The attacks hit close to the plant’s perimeter, with two military personnel killed and a significant number of Russian soldiers injured, some seriously. All personnel were reportedly involved in supporting the plant’s civilian mission.
Diesel generators are crucial for cooling the nuclear fuel in reactors when the plant’s two external power lines are down. Currently, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe with six reactors, is not generating electricity.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a UN body, has stationed a permanent team of observers at the facility, along with the other three operational nuclear power plants in Ukraine. The IAEA has frequently mediated disputes and recently facilitated a local ceasefire allowing for repairs and restoration of external power connections.
