Russian Invasion Ukraine: Ukraine: Attacks on nuclear plants not banned by international law

Since March, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine has been under Russian occupation. Since late July, the largest nuclear plant in Europe has been shelled repeatedly, with Kyiv and Moscow blaming each other for the attacks. This has sparked fears of a nuclear disaster. Last week, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on the situation without getting any closer to a solution.

It is not the first time in this war that the question of nuclear safety and security has been raised. This is not only about the potential use of nuclear weapons — Russian President Vladimir Putin has openly expressed this thought — but also about nuclear power stations being used as military targets.

Read more at: Ukraine: Attacks on nuclear plants not banned by international law | Europe | News and current affairs from around the continent | DW | 18.08.2022

Ukraine Crises: Russia confirms ‘partial’ withdrawal of troops from Ukraine border

Vladimir Putin has confirmed a “partial” drawdown of Russian forces near the Ukrainian border, in a step that could begin a de-escalation of tensions but has left western officials sceptical that the Kremlin has ruled out an attack in the near future.

The size of the withdrawal remains unclear and it may involve only a fraction of Russia’s forces at the border, which western officials estimate at more than 130,000 troops, at least 60% of the country’s ground forces.

Read more at: Russia confirms ‘partial’ withdrawal of troops from Ukraine border | Russia | The Guardian