DISINFO: Ukraine will blackmail Russia with setting up a second Chernobyl nuclear disaster
SUMMARY
If Kyiv takes over the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, it will become the object of nuclear blackmail. Russia will not attack nuclear power plants with missiles, planes and artillery. Then Ukraine will demand that Russia leaves the cities and regions that we controlled, otherwise they will arrange a catastrophe, that is, a second Chernobyl. The Zaporizhzhia station has been crucial since last year to all military plans, which are drawn up by the British.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine's alleged disregard for nuclear safety. No evidence was given to support the claim that Ukraine is considering a 'second Chernobyl'.
This is not the first time the Kremlin’s manipulation and disinformation machine has used a deep-seated and very reasonable fear of a nuclear disaster to advance its political and military goals in Ukraine. Last year, there were numerous pro-Kremlin claims about Ukraine attacking the Zaporizhzhia power plant.
It is Russia that has adopted many reckless actions regarding this facility, including placing military equipment and troops inside its premises, using its surroundings as a base for rocket and missile attacks, and interrupting its power line.
Russia rejected UN proposals to demilitarise the areas surrounding the plant, as it was deliberately waging a fear campaign about the risks of a nuclear disaster in order to advance its goals in Ukraine.
Read our article Playing with nuclear fire and the Ukraine-joint statement on the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
See related disinformation claims alleging that Ukrainian terrorism has absolute disregard for nuclear safety; The US marks the targets for Ukrainian attacks on the Zaporizhzhia plant; Western weapon deliveries enabled Ukraine to destroy the Kakhovka dam; Kyiv regime blew up the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station at the dam; the Kakhovka dam attack is part pf Kyiv's political plan; and that the Kakhovka dam attack was a pretext for more sanctions.