DISINFO: Ukraine attacks Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant plant with drones
SUMMARY
We have witnessed a large-scale attack by Ukrainian kamikaze drones on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The international community must deprive Kyiv of the ability to carry out terrorist attacks on nuclear facilities. Russia is doing everything necessary to ensure the safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in accordance with international legal obligations. Attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant are terrorism at the state level.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about nuclear issues in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
There is no evidence to back the claim that it was Ukraine who attacked Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with drones on the 7 April 2024. These accusations against Ukraine are intended to cover-up the Kremlin’s nuclear blackmail against Ukraine and the West, including threats to use tactical nuclear weapons and preparations for a deliberate nuclear catastrophe at the Russia-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
The U.N.’s atomic watchdog agency condemned the drone strike on one of six nuclear reactors at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, saying such attacks “significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident.” Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the U.N.’s atomic watchdog agency confirmed at least three direct hits against the ZNPP main reactor containment structures took place. “This cannot happen,” he said. The U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency did not attribute blame.
This is not the first time the Kremlin’s manipulation and disinformation machine has used a deep-seated and reasonable fear of a nuclear disaster to advance its political and military goals in Ukraine. Pro-Kremlin sources have previously accused Ukraine of constructing a dirty nuclear bomb or carrying out a provocation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
It would not be surprising, if a Russian false flag operation is behind the incidents. In fact, Russia has adopted many reckless actions regarding this facility, including placing military equipment and troops inside its premises, using its surroundings as a base for rocket and missile attacks, and interrupting its power line. Besides, Russia rejected UN proposals to demilitarise the areas surrounding the plant, as it was deliberately waging a fear campaign about the risks of a nuclear disaster in order to advance its goals in Ukraine.
See similar disinformation cases claiming that Zelenskyy being pushed to attack the Zaporizhzhia NPP that the UK is supervising the preparation of a provocation at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant by Kyiv, that Ukraine may blow the Zaporizhzhia nuclear site up to cover up the failure of the counter-offensive, that the US wants to prepare the world for a provocation at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, that Ukraine will carry out a nuclear attack with British help to involve NATO in war, that Kyiv prepares to carry out an attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, or that Ukraine will blackmail Russia with setting up a second Chernobyl nuclear disaster.