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Russia warns nuclear power plant workers against going to work amid fears of an accident

Russia warns nuclear power plant workers against going to work amid fears of an accident

By Omayma othmani

Published: August 19, 2022

 

 The Ukrainian military intelligence exclusively told NBC News that Russia informed the workers at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant not to come to work on Friday. This comes amid allegations and speculations from both Russia and Ukraine that an incident is being planned for Friday at the plant. Russia threatened on Thursday to shut down the plant, warning of the risk of a man-made disaster due to the continued alleged shelling by Ukraine.

But Ukraine has a completely different story, according to Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. Yusov told NBC News: "There is new information, received about half an hour ago, that tomorrow, August 19, there is an order for the majority of employees not to go to work," adding: "This is what the Russians told their people, especially Rosatom employees," referring to the Russian nuclear agency, " This may be evidence that Russia is preparing 'large-scale provocations' at the power plant on Friday. Ukraine is conducting disaster response drills amid shelling at a nuclear power plant. We do not rule out the possibility of large-scale Russian provocations on ZNPP territory tomorrow. This is confirmed by their propaganda, information from our sources, and Russian behavior at the plant »," referring to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, while Russia refused to confirm or deny whether any Rosatom personnel are stationed at Zaporizhzhia.

Earlier on Thursday, the Russian Ministry of Defense accused Ukraine and what it called "the United States" operators "of attempting to carry out" a "simple incident" at the plant in southern Ukraine on Friday to blame Russia. It said the timing of the "provocation" coincides with a visit to Ukraine by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and that it may involve a radioactive leak.

It is worth mentioning that Russia seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor complex, the largest in Europe, shortly after invading Ukraine nearly six months ago and it has been subjected to repeated shelling, with blame exchanged between both Moscow and Kyiv.

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