Rosatom chief: Ukraine intensifies shelling of Energodar ahead of local elections

Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev reports an increase in Ukrainian Armed Forces strikes on Energodar since spring 2026, which he claims is aimed at disrupting upcoming elections. The claim is unverified and comes from a Russian state-affiliated source, so the actual intent and scale of attacks remain uncertain. This matters as it signals potential escalation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, raising nuclear safety and regional stability concerns.