Ukraine accuses Russia of placing 'objects resembling explosives' atop Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

04 July 2023

Russia and Ukraine have escalated exchanging accusations of planning an attack on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant outside of Enerhodar, which Russian President Vladimir Putin's troops seized in March 2022.

"A statement issued by the Ukrainian armed forces quoted operational data' as saying that 'explosive devices' had been placed on the roof of the station's third and fourth reactors on Tuesday. An attack was possible 'in the near future,'" Reuters reported.

"'If detonated, they would not damage the reactors but would create an image of shelling from the Ukrainian side,' the statement on Telegram said. 'It said the Ukrainian army stood 'ready to act under any circumstances.'"

Reuters noted that while "none of the reactors at the plant is producing electricity," the International Atomic Energy Agency "has been trying for more than a year to clinch a deal to ensure the plant is demilitarized and reduce the risks of any nuclear accident."

Kyiv's suspicions were amplified by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who shortly after wishing the United States a "Happy Fourth of July" on Tuesday tweeted a video in which he alleged that Russia placed "objects resembling explosives" on Zaporizhzhia's roof.

"Now we have information from our intelligence that the Russian military has placed objects resembling explosives on the roof of several power units of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant," Zelenskyy wrote in his Twitter post. "Perhaps to simulate an attack on the plant. Perhaps they have some other scenario. But in any case, the world sees – can't but see – that the only source of danger to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is Russia and no one else. Unfortunately, there was no timely and large-scale response to the terrorist attack on the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. And this may incite the Kremlin to commit new evil. It is the responsibility of everyone in the world to stop it, no one can stand aside, as radiation affects everyone."

Experts have warned that the two most likely triggers of a disaster are Zaporizhzhia's six reactors (and its spent fissile material) losing access to cooling water or explosions that spread radioactive debris into the air and surrounding regions.

Reuters' full article is available at this link.

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