In a statement, the State Department “strongly condemns the unlawful detention” of Mr. Murachov, director of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, which has been occupied by Russian troops since March 4 and on many occasions in recent months has targeted bombings whose Kyiv and Moscow blame each other.
“This crime is a new act of state terrorism by Russia and constitutes a serious violation of international law,” Ukrainian diplomacy said. “We call on the international community, including the United Nations, the IAEA and the G7, to also take decisive action to this end,” the ministry added.
According to Ukrainian nuclear operator Energoatom, Russia on Friday arrested Igor Murachov, the general director of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.
“Blindfolded to an unknown destination”
According to his boss Petro Kotin, Mr Murachov was arrested by a “Russian patrol” around 4pm while en route from the plant to the Russian-controlled city of Ernogodar. According to him, the vehicle transporting the plant’s director was stopped and he was taken out of the car and then “driven blindfolded to an unknown destination.”
Murachov is the plant’s sole nuclear safety officer, Kotin said. The Zaporijia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, has been occupied by Russian troops since early March, but is not far from the demarcation line between Kyiv-controlled and Moscow-held areas.