Several dangerous situations have occurred at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, which has been occupied by Russian troops since March 2022. Now the situation is getting worse: according to the British Ministry of Defense, the occupiers have set up combat positions directly on top of the reactor buildings. Apparently there are fears of a Ukrainian attack.
Over the past 14 months, there have been repeated battles around the nuclear power plant. The system had to be operated several times after being bombarded with emergency power.
Now, however, there is the first indication that the actual reactor building itself is being included in the tactical defense planning of the Russian occupier, according to the ministry in London. Satellite images from the company Maxar show four positions made of sandbags on three of the six reactor buildings in total.
Risk of nuclear accident is increasing
This makes it increasingly likely that the safety systems of the nuclear power plant will be damaged. However, since the structures at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant have been massively reinforced, direct catastrophic damage is unlikely if only infantry weapons are used, according to the assessment from London. Nevertheless, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned again a few days ago of a nuclear accident due to increasing hostilities.
At the end of March, a few days after the satellite images of the sandbags’ positions were taken, a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) led by Director General Rafael Grossi visited the nuclear power plant. He saw “clear signs of military preparations there,” said Grossi, without giving details. Since then, IAEA experts have repeatedly heard explosions from shell impacts, Grossi said a few days ago.
According to British assessments, the Russian forces set up the combat positions due to growing concerns about the prospects of a full-scale Ukrainian counter-offensive. Military analysts expect such a Ukrainian counterattack to be imminent. It could start in early May, when the weather improves and tanks, troop carriers and artillery can no longer get stuck in the mud of the “Rasputiza”.
Wagner boss: offensive “inevitable”
A new Ukrainian offensive is also “inevitable,” the head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said in a video message. “Today, well-trained enemy units are already marching into Bakhmut,” he explained. His troops would advance at any cost to “crush” the Ukrainian army.
One of the main goals of the Ukrainian armed forces could be to break the southern land corridor between Russian forces in the east and the Crimean region annexed by Russia. Such an operation could see renewed fighting around the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. The Ukrainian army has not yet commented on a renewed counter-offensive.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
