Russian Defense Ministry reports Ukrainian nationalists' attack on Chernobyl NPP power supply network

MOSCOW. March 9 (Interfax) - Ukrainian nationalists attacked the power supply network of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"It is with great regret that I have to inform you that Ukrainian nationalists staged another provocation, an extremely dangerous one. They delivered a strike on the sub-station and power lines supplying electricity to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Russian specialists took prompt measures to switch to backup diesel generator sources of power," Russian Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Pankov said.

"The Ukrainian side is now doing all it can to avoid organizing any repairs. In our opinion, it once again confirms the absolutely deliberate and provocative nature of the nationalists' activities," Pankov said.