KYIV: The defence ministry of Ukraine has warned that Russia plans to simulate a significant accident at a Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, which is under the control of Russian armed forces, to thwart the expected counteroffensive by Ukraine to retake its territory captured by Russia.
According to AL Jazeera, The Zaporizhzhia plant, which lies in a location in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine, is Europe’s biggest nuclear power station, and the place has been repeatedly targeted by shelling, with both sides blaming each other for the dangerous attacks.
Ahead of Ukraine’s expected counteroffensive, fears have increased that the nuclear disaster could occur amid rising army activity around Zaporizhzhia.
The defence ministry’s of Ukraine intelligence directorate said, “Russians preparing huge provocation and imitation of the accident at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in the nearest hours.”
The intelligence directorate said, “They’re planning to attack the territory of the ZNPP [Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant]. After that, they’ll announce the leakage of the radioactive substances.”
The directorate said that reports of radioactive material leaking from the plant would cause a world incident and force an investigation by international authorities, during which hostilities would be stopped.
Russia would then use that pause in fighting to regroup its armed forces and prepare well to stop the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
The directorate said, “They obviously would blame Ukraine,” and added that the attack’s goal would be to “provoke the world community” into investigating the incident and forcing a pause in fighting.
‼️ Russians are preparing massive provocation and imitation of the accident at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in the nearest hours.
They are planning to attack the territory of the ZNPP. After that, they will announce the leakage of the radioactive substances. pic.twitter.com/Vk6hRDD26v— Defence intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) May 26, 2023
