In the worst case this nuclear accident, preparing Ukraine, as well as the situation around its nuclear power plant Zaporozhyewhich is under the control of the Russians, is becoming more and more dangerous due to the multiplication of strikes and blaming each other on both sides.

Russia’s Defense Ministry on Thursday accused Ukraine of planning a “provocation” at its nuclear power plant on August 19, when UN Secretary-General António Guterres is due to arrive, Russian state news agency RIA reported. In a statement, the Russian Defense Ministry also notes that the Russian military did not deploy “heavy weapons” in or around the nuclear plant, which is located in southern Ukraine and is under Moscow’s control.

“We emphasize that the Russian army does not have heavy weapons inside the (nuclear) plant and in the surrounding areas. Only security units are stationed there,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement, quoted by AFP. “The Russian armed forces are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant,” he continues.

According to AFP, the Russian Defense Ministry accuses Kyiv of wanting to prepare a “high-profile provocation.” According to Moscow, Ukrainian artillery units are planning to open fire on the station in order to then blame Russia for causing the nuclear accident.

Fighting around a nuclear plant held by Russian forces has raised fears of a catastrophe, and Guterres has said he wants to create a demilitarized zone around the plant.

Zaporozhye railway station, largest in Europe, was captured in early March by Russian troops, and Ukrainian scientists have so far managed its operation. Since August 5, Kyiv and Moscow have been blaming each other for the bombings. In one case, shells landed near a storage building for radioactive materials, and in another, shelling caused an automatic shutdown of the reactor.

The occupation of the site by the Russian military “poses a serious threat to its security and increases the risk of an accident or a nuclear incident. It is urgent to allow the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) inspection and ensure the withdrawal of all Russian forces, ”said Mr. NATO Jens Stoltenberg during a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday.

“If there is a ‘catastrophe’ at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, the whole of Europe will be at risk,” the Ukrainian president warned in a message on Monday. Vladimir Zelensky.

“Any accident with radioactivity at the nuclear power plant in Zaporozhye will strike at the countries of the European Union, Turkey, Georgia and countries of more remote regions. Everything will depend on the direction and strength of the wind,” he said.

They prepare for the worst case scenario

The situation that has developed near the nuclear power plant is described by the Air Force in today’s article, since journalist James Waterhouse, along with Ukrainian officials, was in the area.

“The government invited us on a mission to an unknown destination and we decided to take on the challenge. We met at the airport near Kyiv, from where we, along with other journalists, were put on a helicopter. We realized that our destination was the city of Zaporozhye. Already 30 seconds after the start of the flight, I understood why we were given anti-nausea pills before takeoff. To remain unnoticed, the pilot kept the helicopter at a height of about 10 meters above the ground, sliding several times over electric cables, ”says the BBC correspondent.

“We landed in a supermarket parking lot. There, employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, dressed in special yellow suits, conduct exercises on radioactive contamination. They are being monitored by high-ranking officials who want to establish how prepared the region will be in the worst-case scenario,” he adds.

“Of course we are concerned,” says Ukraine’s energy minister. German Galushchenko accompanying cargo. “The situation changed dramatically when the Russians began shelling the area on August 5,” he notes, describing the situation at nuclear facilities as critical.

Ukrainian officials say power plant could cut power as Moscow attempts to divert electricity to Crimeawhich he annexed eight years ago.

“It is impossible to ensure the safety of a nuclear power plant while the Russian occupation troops are there,” says Denys Monastyrsky, Ukraine’s interior minister. “This is the main problem that we all need to understand,” he adds.

So it is clear that since the Ukrainians cannot regain control over Zaporozhye, they are preparing just in case.

According to BBC, REUTERS, AFP.