Pro-Russian official claims security around Zaporizhzhia NPP 'strengthened' amid shelling

A pro-Russian official has claimed that security around Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been "strengned" amid shelling. Vlimir Rogov, an official with self-declared Russian-backed Zaporizhzhia region ministration, stated that decision has been taken over "possible attempt" by Ukraine's forces to strike at nuclear facility, CNN reported. Notably, Russia and Ukraine have been accusing each or of artillery strikes on Zaporizhzhia NPP. 

Vlimir Rogov claimed that re have been several artillery strikes in area around Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on Thursday, 18 August. In a post on Telegram, Vlimir Rogov claimed that re have been heavy artillery strikes in Enerhodar region. As per report, Enerhodar region is in close proximity to Zaporizhzhia NPP. Secretary of Russia's Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, accused United States of encouraging Ukraine to carry out attacks at Zaporizhzhia NPP.

Nikolai Patrushev underscored that technological disaster will have an impact on world and US, UK and ir "accomplices" will hold responsibility for it, according to AP. Ukraine has been accusing Russian forces of storing troops and weapons at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and using it to conduct strikes in Ukrainian controlled region. However, Russia has refuted accusations and accused Ukraine of carrying out shelling at plant. Notably, nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia has been seized by Russia shortly after Russian forces launched an offensive in Ukraine on February 24. 

Zelenskyy calls for withdrawal of Russian forces from Zaporizhzhia NPP

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has agreed with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on "parameters" of a possible visit of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission to Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Speaking at a press briefing along with UN Chief and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Zelenskyy said that y discussed Russia's "nuclear blackmail" in Zaporizhzhia NPP. 

Zelenskyy stressed that Russia must immediately withdraw its troops from nuclear power plant and stop all "provocations." He accused Russia of deliberately putting everyone on "brink of global riation." Meanwhile, UN Chief Antonio Guterres said that he is "gravely concerned" about situation in and around Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia. He furr ded, "Common sense must prevail to avoid any actions that might endanger physical integrity, safety or security of nuclear plant."

"We discussed in detail nuclear blackmail of Russia around Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Nuclear security is an absolute priority for everyone in world, new challenges, and Russia must immediately and without any conditions withdraw its troops from territory of ZNPP, stop all provocations, all shelling," Zelenskyy said in press briefing. 

Image: AP