Ukraine says Russia inflaming situation at Zaporizhzhia to turn ‘tide of war’ in its favor

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - A Kyiv official on Wednesday said Moscow intends to turn the tide of the Ukraine war in its favor by inflaming the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

“Why does Russia inflame the situation with the Zaporizhzhia NPP ... To turn the tide of war in its favor,” Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said in a statement on Telegram.

Maliar said intimidation of “terrorist acts” and "direct perpetration" are used by Russia as a tool for achieving military goals.

Russia took control of the Zaporizhzhia plant, the biggest in Europe, following its “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022.

Since then, both Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of shelling it, stoking fears of a nuclear catastrophe.

Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is considering a “terrorist attack” on the plant that could involve radiation leakage. Moscow denies any such plan, calling them "heinous provocations."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday said the threat of sabotage at the Zaporizhzhia NPP was real.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, UN’s nuclear watchdog, has been trying for a deal to ensure the plant is demilitarized and reduce the risks of any nuclear accident.