Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suspects Russia of an imminent provocation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. According to Ukrainian intelligence information, the Russian military placed “explosive-like” objects on the roofs of several reactor blocks at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, Zelenskyy said in his daily video on Tuesday. This could serve to simulate an attack on the plant, suspects the head of state.
Zelenskyy called for international pressure on Moscow to prevent this. “Unfortunately, there was no timely and comprehensive response to the terrorist attack on the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. And that could inspire the Kremlin to new evils,” Zelenskyy said. In June, an explosion destroyed the Kachowka Dam. Hundreds of cities were flooded. Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of destroying it. Moscow denies this and accuses Kiev of the crime.
Zelenskyy thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for his willingness to work to ensure the safety of the nuclear facility. The Ukrainian head of state said he had spoken with Macron about the nuclear power plant, but also about arms deliveries and the upcoming NATO summit.
In its daily situation report, the Ukrainian general staff wrote about alleged explosive devices on the roof of the nuclear power plant, the explosion of which was intended to give the impression of a bombing. Explosive devices were attached to the roofs of the third and fourth reactor blocks, but are unlikely to damage the reactors themselves, according to the General Staff situation report. At the same time, the military leadership in Kiev stressed that Ukraine would not violate the norms of international law.
Renat Karchaa, adviser to the head of the Russian atomic energy agency Rosenergoatom, said on state television on Tuesday that the Ukrainian armed forces would already try to attack the nuclear plant with rockets and drones on Wednesday night. Hence, not only must the nuclear power plant be hit, but a bomb containing nuclear waste must also be dropped at the same time. The senior Moscow official did not provide any evidence to support the allegation.
Shortly after the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine ordered by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, Russian troops occupied the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant and have held it under control ever since. The factory has been attacked several times, for which both parties to the conflict blame each other. Internationally, there is great concern about a nuclear catastrophe – even if the plant was put into operation cold.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, which has observers at the plant, classifies the security situation as “precarious”, although – until Friday – it had not registered mines or explosive devices at the nuclear power plant.
Both parties to the conflict have repeatedly accused each other of planned provocations around the plant. Recently, these allegations have steadily intensified.