GUR: Occupiers prepare provocation to hit ZNPP

Spokesman Andriy Yusov of the Defence Ministry's Main Directorate of Intelligence said this in a commentary for RBC-Ukraine.

According to Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Defence Ministry's Main Directorate of Intelligence, according to the latest information, the occupiers continue to carry out acts of nuclear blackmail and terrorism. They are preparing a provocation, which includes a simulated strike on the facilities of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant with a possible leak of nuclear materials.

He also noted that the occupiers plan to bring experts from Rosatom to confirm these strikes, as well as representatives of the IAEA and other international organizations.

The purpose of such provocation is to accuse Ukraine of shelling the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, with the main goal of the Russian occupiers being to prevent the Ukrainian security and defence forces from liberating the occupied territories. According to a military intelligence representative, similar provocations using nuclear materials and chemical weapons could be organized by the Russian occupiers along the entire front line in the east and south of Ukraine.

What is known about the temporary occupation of Zaporizhzhya NPP

The Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant has been under control of Russian occupation forces for more than a year now. During this time the plant has been shelled many times, with the occupiers blaming Ukraine for the strikes. Provocative attacks result in disconnection of Zaporizhzhya NPP from external power supply, which poses a threat of radiation catastrophe.

In addition, the occupiers seek to use the ZNPP as a protective shield before a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The enemy attempted to use the largest nuclear power plant in Europe to provide temporarily occupied territories with electricity, but it failed to do so.

Occupiers seek to create an environmental disaster in Ukraine

The Russian military destroyed a dam in Donetsk Region, which led to the flooding of three settlements. The occupiers also repeatedly carried out provocations at the Kakhovska hydroelectric power plant, which threatens to flood a large area of the left-bank Kherson region.

The Russians were frightened by the use of a "dirty bomb"

Last autumn, the Russian Federation spread information in the information space about alleged preparations of Ukraine to use a "dirty bomb".

Russia accused Ukraine of preparing to use a "dirty bomb" and blaming it on Russia. This was then heard from many Russian politicians and military officials.

The Russian military argued that bomb-making materials could be gathered from three operating Ukrainian nuclear power plants, the defunct Chernobyl plant, radioactive waste storage facilities and chemical and nuclear plants. No evidence, other than references to information available to the defence ministry, was publicly cited.