Russia stations rocket artillery at ZNPP, Ukraine says
Energoatom informed that occupants are preparing provocations at Zaporizhzhya NPP (Photo:REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko)
Russian forces at the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) have deployed Grad rocket artillery in the immediate vicinity of the station’s spent nuclear fuel storage, Ukraine’s state nuclear operator Energoatom said in a Telegram post on Dec. 8.
Energoatom suggested Moscow is likely planning to stage a provocation by firing across the Dnipro River, probably targeting Nikopol and nearby areas. Under this plan, the spent nuclear fuel storage would act as a “nuclear shield,” preventing Ukraine from retaliating.
Earlier, Russian media reported that the Russian forces were prepared to leave ZNPP – short of withdrawing from Zaporizhzhia Oblast altogether. Moscow's plan was allegedly to transfer control of the facility to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, and has been occupied by Russian forces since March 4. Several ZNPP facilities have been damaged by Russian shelling, and the station's employees are captives of the occupying troops.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has since established a permanent monitoring presence at the facility.
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