Russian occupiers detained two employees of Zaporizhzhya NPP

The New Voice of Ukraine
·2 min read
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Zaporizhzhia NPP
Zaporizhzhia NPP

The occupiers also detained another local resident who was allegedly working for the Armed Forces, and leaked information about Russian troop positions.

Read also: Russia pulling in more troops, equipment to Zaporizhzhya NPP, says Energoatom

The Ukrainian government has not officially commented on this incident.

Earlier President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that if Russia continues their nuclear blackmail at the captured Zaporizhzhia NPP, this summer could become one of the most tragic in the history of Europe. The invaders brought even more troops and equipment to the ZNPP on Aug. 23.

Read also: Russia exploiting Zaporizhzhia NPP to play on West's fears – ISW

Russian occupiers captured the ZNPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, at the beginning of the full-scale war on March 4. The plant’s workers have been held hostage since then. Russian military personnel and Russian nuclear agency Rosatom employees are also stationed at the nuclear plant, which has seen two of its six reactors knocked out of commission by Russian attacks.

The Russian invaders have deployed military equipment directly on the territory of the plant to prevent Ukrainian counterattacks, including in the engine room of the first reactor. In addition, the occupiers have set up firing positions inside the facility and are shelling Ukrainian cities from there. The Kremlin uses the Zaporizhzhia NPP as a "nuclear shield" to cover its military equipment, since the Armed Forces cannot return fire in the area of ​​the power plant, and to pressure Ukraine and the world, threatening a nuclear disaster.

Read also: Russia stores weapons at Zaporizhzhia NPP raising fears of an explosion

At the same time, Russia is trying to gain full control over the station. On August 19, Ukrainian nuclear operator Energoatom reported that Russia is preparing to disconnect the Zaporizhzhia NPP from Ukraine's energy system in the near future. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation voiced threats to completely stop the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

The Russians are constantly shelling the territory of the plant, blaming the Ukrainian side in a transparent attempt at a false flag attack.

Read also: After Russian shelling, IAEA demands access to Zaporizhzhia NPP

The Russian military is also breaking the power lines that connect the ZNPP with the energy system of Ukraine, under the guise that it is allegedly being done by Ukrainian troops. This creates the risk of a nuclear accident, because without power to the station, it will be impossible to operate the pumps that cool the nuclear reactors.

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