DISINFO: Ukraine turns nuclear power plants into military facilities
SUMMARY
Nuclear power plants in the government-controlled territories in Ukraine are being turned into military facilities where HIMARS, Olkha, Grad and other missile systems are stored. These are warehouses with ammunition and military equipment. Dozens of ammunition depots have been destroyed in the Zaporizhzhya Oblast, and Ukrainian authorities realised that military equipment could be safely hidden only at nuclear power plants. The Zelensky regime is engaged in nuclear terrorism, while the International Agency for Atomic Energy is keeping silent about it.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing Kyiv of using nuclear power plants as a shield for launching attacks. This claim was made in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
In reality, it is Russia which deployed artillery systems, rocket launchers, tanks and personnel carriers at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, turning it into a military base. Russian troops did it purposefully to prevent a Ukrainian counterattack. Russia also rejected calls from the UN for a demilitarised zone around the plant. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has warned about the risk of Russia's militarisation of the Zaporizhzhya NPP. A video shared by Russian opposition outlet The Insider has shown that Russian military vehicles move in and around the plant, some of them (including armoured vehicles) moved into the building containing the first of the plant’s six nuclear reactors.
Russia also regularly shells the power station. It has been widely accused of using the power plant as a shield for launching attacks, which might cause a nuclear catastrophe affecting Ukraine and the whole of Europe. Such activities violate the Geneva Convention, which states that particular care must be taken if "installations containing dangerous forces" are located near the fighting.
Chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi said he was "extremely concerned" by reports of shelling at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which is Europe's biggest. EU HRVP Josep Borrell condemned Russia’s military activities there and labelled them as a serious and irresponsible breach of nuclear safety rules and another example of Russia’s disregard for international norms.
Read more disinformation cases accusing Ukraine of subversive activities at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant.