Regarding allegations that Ukraine shelled the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station and put Europe at danger for a Chernobyl-style disaster, Russia has accused Ukraine of “nuclear terrorism.”
Sergei Shoigu, the little-noticed Russian defence minister, said that by attacking the facility with weaponry from the West, Ukraine was “creating a serious danger of nuclear disaster.”
Additionally, Shoigu denied Kiev’s and the West’s claims that Russia had placed heavy weaponry at the largest nuclear power station in Europe, which is situated in southern Ukraine and has been under Russian control since March.
We do not have any heavy weaponry on the nuclear power plant’s property or in the neighbourhood.
In comments made that were made public by the defence ministry, Shoigu expressed his hope that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team will leave persuaded of this.
Russia has been accused by Ukraine of attacking its positions from nearby nuclear reactors and holding them captive to protect it from counter-battery fire.
Shoigu reiterated on Friday Moscow’s position that Kyiv would be accountable for any escalation at the scene.
During the previous six weeks, he said, Ukraine had fired 120 artillery rounds and 16 “kamikaze” drone assaults.
Shoigu continued, calling it “nothing less than nuclear terrorism,” and accusing the US and EU of “encouraging such dangerous conduct.”
As Europe faces the threat of radioactive radiation once again after the Chernobyl disaster in 1985, independent organisations have so far been unable to independently verify the allegations of either side.
But on Thursday, a UN International Atomic Energy Agency crew visited the facility to examine operations and evaluate any damage.
This week, Russian authorities said that the facility’s radiation levels are still within normal range.
Following the completion of this week’s expedition, two IAEA representatives are expected to stay at the facility permanently, the Russian envoy to the international organisations in Vienna said on Friday.
Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN’s nuclear inspector, said that while his team had finished their first tour of the important regions, there was still more work to be done. He didn’t go into detail about what his team discovered.
Before they departed, Grossi added, “We know there is a grey region where the dangers are enormous between the final line of Ukrainian defence and the first line of the Russian invading troops starts.”
“I think we should go forward with this,” We need to complete this assignment quickly.
“My goal is to avoid a nuclear disaster and maintain the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe,” I said.
We are getting ready for the hard work, he remarked. “We are going to work to create the agency’s permanent presence.”
His remarks follow the earlier today shutdown of a reactor at the Zaporizhzhia power facility due to shelling in the vicinity.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement that Grossi would attend a news conference at the Vienna airport at 6 PM GMT this afternoon upon his return.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Friday, the reliability of the Russian Nord Stream 1 gas export pipeline is in jeopardy since just one turbine is operating at the crucial compressor station.
Gas supplies via Nord Stream 1, which travels under the Baltic Sea and connects to Germany, have decreased to a fifth of their usual level and were completely stopped on Wednesday for a three-day maintenance period that will last until Saturday.
The primary cause for less deliveries via Nord Stream 1 has been attributed by Russia to defective or delayed equipment.