DISINFO: Ukraine strikes Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant; disaster looms
SUMMARY
Russia is taking measures in coordination with the International Atomic Energy Agency to protect the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant which is suffering continual Ukrainian missile strikes. It is incurring risks of a large-scale nuclear catastrophe.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing Ukraine of attacking the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant.
In reality, Kyiv denied the shelling of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and accused Russia of dangerous actions that may cause a nuclear catastrophe for Ukraine and the entire Europe. By putting forward such false allegations, Russia is trying to avoid responsibility for any possible damage its attacks can cause.
Ukraine supported the mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which visited the power plant in late August – early September 2022. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met IAEA Director General Mariano Grossi on 30 August 2022. Zelenskyy said that “the Ukrainian side wants the IAEA mission headed by Director General Grossi to access Zaporizhzhia NPP and make every effort to avoid all the global threats”.
There is more evidence of Russia’s involvement in the attacks on the power plant. During his visit, Raphael Grossi saw a part of a missile on the territory of the power station, whose trajectory was clearly from the occupied area. A Russian official who was accompanying him denied it was a Russian missile.
Western nations have been actively calling for a reduction of tensions and risks around the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. EU High Representative Josep Borrell condemned Russia’s military activities there and labelled them as a serious and irresponsible breach of nuclear safety rules. The US backed UN proposals for a diplomatic solution to this situation such as the creation of a demilitarised area around Zaporizhzhya. Russia’s Foreign Ministry rejected such proposals as “unacceptable”.
Read our article Playing with nuclear fire and the Ukraine-joint statement on the situation at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant.