Moscow, Rodion Miroshnik, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has accused Ukrainian forces of escalating attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure, resulting in civilian casualties, including children.
According to Miroshnik, three minors were killed and eight others injured in attacks reported ahead of International Children’s Day. He further claimed that a total of 35 civilians were killed and 182 injured during the week of May 25–31, bringing the total number of civilian casualties to 217. Among those affected, he said, were eight children who sustained injuries.
Miroshnik stated that the most severe incidents occurred in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the Kherson region, where drone strikes allegedly targeted civilian areas and resulted in deaths among both children and adults.
He also alleged that Ukrainian forces increased the frequency of drone attacks against civilian facilities, transportation routes, energy infrastructure, and industrial sites. According to his statement, unmanned aerial vehicles were used to conduct remote mining operations in populated areas and along sections of the Novorossiya federal motorway, allegedly disrupting civilian supply routes.
The Russian diplomat further claimed that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) came under attack during the reporting period. He said a drone struck the turbine hall of Power Unit 6, with the impact occurring approximately 10 meters from the reactor compartment. He also reported damage to the plant’s transport facilities, including the destruction of several buses and service vehicles used to transport staff.
Miroshnik asserted that Ukrainian forces fired at least 3,754 munitions at civilian sites on Russian territory during the week.
The Ukrainian government has not publicly responded to these specific allegations. Independent verification of the claims was not immediately available.