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Ukraine war: nuclear tensions rise as Kyiv, Moscow clash over potential ‘catastrophic’ Zaporizhzhia plant provocation

  • On Tuesday, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky reinforced a warning that Russia may be planning to sabotage the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
  • On Wednesday, the Kremlin responded by claiming that Kyiv is planning a provocation on the complex

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Officers attend an anti-radiation drill in case of an emergency situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Photo: Reuters

Concerns intensified that a Russian-occupied nuclear reactor in southern Ukraine could be the target of fresh attacks as Kyiv and Moscow traded barbs over the potential of a radiological incident.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reinforced a warning overnight that Russia may be planning to sabotage the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which Moscow’s forces have occupied since the start of the war.

“We have information from our intelligence that Russian troops have placed objects resembling explosives on the roof of several power units” at Zaporozhzhia, Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address to the nation. The objects may also be used to “simulate” an attack, he said.

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Ukraine prepares for potential nuclear disaster in Zaporizhzhia power plant

Ukraine prepares for potential nuclear disaster in Zaporizhzhia power plant

The Kremlin responded on Wednesday that the government in Kyiv is planning a provocation.

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