Russia has again disrupted the rotation of IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. This was announced by the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Georgiy Tykhyi.
According to Tykhyi, this time the Russian occupiers used armed stormtroopers with white flags deployed in the area of crossing the line between the territories controlled by Ukraine and the temporarily occupied zone to disrupt the rotation.
“The scenario of disruption of rotations is similar every time. First, the Russian side fails to agree on the point and time of the rotation for a long time, then gives vague signals about its alleged readiness to guarantee safe passage, but an hour before the rotation begins, it opens fire or starts hostilities in the area. After that, Russian attack aircraft show up with white flags and IAEA flags, and Moscow claims that “everything is ready” for the mission. This is not the first time such actions have been repeated, but the security risks are getting higher every time,” Tychy noted.
He added that over the three years of occupation, Russia has degraded ZNPP, turning the largest nuclear power plant in Europe into a military base. According to Tykhyi, this is part of Russia’s broader strategy of nuclear threats and the use of energy as a weapon.
The presence of the IAEA prevents Russia from implementing this plan, so it is systematically putting pressure on the Agency, trying to undermine its authority and create conditions under which independent oversight will become impossible.