Ukraine on Tuesday accused Moscow of preparing a “provocation” at the Russian-held Zaporizhia nuclear power plant (south), while Russia in turn assured that Kiev was preparing an “attack” on the plant.
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The Ukrainian army warned about “the possible preparation of a provocation on the territory of the Zaporizhia power plant in the near future”.
She claims that “explosive-like objects were placed on the outer roof of reactors 3 and 4.”
View of reactors 1, 2 and 3 at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant – photo by AFP
“Their designation should not damage the generators, but give the impression of bombing from the Ukrainian side,” the army continues, warning that Moscow “will spread disinformation on this issue.”
In Moscow, an adviser to the Russian nuclear giant Rosatom, Renat Karchaa, accused Kiev of preparing an “attack” on the nuclear power plant.
Renat Karchaa, adviser to Russian nuclear giant Rosatom – Photo by AFP
“Today we received information that I have the right to disclose. “On July 5, in the night of complete darkness, the Ukrainian army will try to attack the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia,” Karchaa told Russian television.
He assures that Kiev plans to use “long-range precision weapons” and drones.
When Europe’s largest power plant fell into the hands of the Russian army on March 4, 2022, it was shelled several times and the power grid was cut off. According to Kiev, Russia has deployed troops and weapons at its compound.
The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in the Russian-occupied southern zone in May raised concerns about the sustainability of the reservoir used to cool the plant’s six reactors.
On June 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of planning a “terrorist attack” involving a “radiation leak” at the Zaporizhia power plant, an accusation the Kremlin immediately dismissed as a “lie.”