Ukraine war: Nuclear plant attack plot claims, Russian economy resilient, 185,000 new troops in army

Ukraine's president claimed Russia has planted explosive-like objects to simulate attacks in the Zaporizhzhia plant, during a Tuesday video address.  

This accusation was matched by Moscow, with Russian nuclear adviser Renat Karchaa alleging Kyiv Ukraine planned to drop ammunition laced with nuclear waste on the site. 

Euronews cannot independently verify either claim. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Kremlin is the only threat remaining to Europe's largest nuclear power plant.

He previously briefed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez about the possible Russian threat to Zaporizhzhia, accusing it of plotting a "local explosion that can lead to a radiation release." 

Both Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly accused each other of plotting to attack the plant. 

Moscow has previously blamed the Ukrainian military for shelling Zaporizhzhia, which it gained control of during the war's early days.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday that 185,000 new recruits had joined the Russian army as professional contract soldiers since the start of the year.

In a video posted on Telegram, he said that almost 10,000 new recruits had joined up in the last week since a brief mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group, whose fighters were given the option of signing on as regular soldiers.

His comment comes amid a push by Moscow to beef up forces that have suffered heavy losses in Ukraine, with posters urging people to join up plastered throughout Russia's cities.

Last year Russia announced a plan to boost the size of its armed forces by more than 30% to 1.5 million combat personnel, an ambitious task made harder by Ukraine's counter-offensive. 

At least 43 civilians, including 12 children, were harmed in a Russian attack on the northeastern