Ukraine is reportedly “preparing for a possible nuclear explosion” at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, raising tensions following Russia’s first overnight drone attack on Kiev in 12 days.
According to Kira Rudik, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, concerns about a possible explosion have led residents to prepare for what might happen.
«I still cannot process that in the 21st century this is happening. We are preparing for a nuclear explosion and the whole world is watching and nothing can be done,” Rudik told Sky News.
It is “unheard of” that Russia has not allowed UN officials to enter the plant to carry out checks, according to Rudik, who noted that Ukrainian officials asked several times for the plant to be a neutral zone, but “Russia never agreed to it.” ».
Russian troops have been ordered to leave the plant – which has been under Russian control since March 2022 – by July 5, according to Ukrainian Defense Intelligence.
“The latest data indicates that the occupation forces are gradually leaving the territory of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Three Rosatom employees, who directed the actions of the Russians, were among the first to leave the facility,” DIU said on Telegram.
Rosatom is a Russian state corporation specializing in nuclear energy.
“Ukrainian employees who have signed a contract with Rosatom have also been advised to evacuate. According to the instructions received, they must leave before July 5,” DIU said.
Russian troops ordered to stay in the area have reportedly been instructed to “blame Ukraine in case of any emergency,” Ukrayinska Pravda reported.
As the Zaporizhzhia region braces for a possible nuclear situation, Russia launched a nightly drone strike on kyiv and the surrounding region, Ukrainian military officials said on Sunday.
The attack – the first after a 12-day hiatus – included eight Iranian-made Shahed drones and three cruise missiles, which were shot down.
“Another enemy attack on Kyiv,” Serhiy Popko, a colonel-general who heads Kyiv’s military administration, said on Telegram.
Three houses were damaged by falling drone debris and one person was injured, Ruslan Kravchenko, the region’s military chief, said on Facebook. No further information was available about the attack.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated seafarers in the Black Sea port city of Odesa on the country’s Navy Day, which falls on the first Sunday in July.
“If Russian warships remain in the Black Sea, they will be afraid to approach our Ukrainian shores of Crimea and the Azov Sea. According to the Kyiv Independent newspaper, this will certainly happen,” Zelensky said.
According to the Ukrainian Navy Command, Russia currently has nine warships in the Black Sea, including four Kalibr cruise missile carriers with up to 24 missiles on board.
Elizabeth Keane
The post Ukraine “prepares for a possible nuclear explosion”: Russian troops must leave the Zaporizhzhia plant. appeared first on MilitaryView.