DISINFO: Ukrainian terrorism has absolute disregard for nuclear safety
SUMMARY
Ukrainian terrorism threatens Europe with a nuclear disaster.
It became known that Russia had thwarted an attempt by the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service to destroy more than 30 transmission towers at two nuclear power plants in the Leningrad and Tver regions. The terrorists managed to blow up one of the towers, mine four of the Leningrad power lines, and plant explosive devices under seven towers of the Kalinin power lines.
This is not the first Ukrainian attempt to harm Russia's nuclear energy facilities. The Zaporizhzhia station was the most common target of attacks for a long period.
One sees an absolute disregard for international nuclear safety rules. While [Russia], unlike the enemy, is trying, within the framework of the special operation, in every possible way, to remove all nuclear facilities from the area of military operations, Ukraine appears to have no signs of stopping.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine's disregard for nuclear safety. No evidence was given to support the claim about Ukraine's targeting Russian nuclear facilities. Additionally, the claim was neither counterbalanced nor critically challenged in the article.
This is not the first time the Kremlin’s manipulation and disinformation machine has used a deep-seated and very reasonable fear of a nuclear disaster to advance its political and military goals in Ukraine. Last year, there were numerous pro-Kremlin claims about Ukraine attacking the Zaporizhzhia power plant.
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 demilitarize 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.
Read our article Playing with nuclear fire and the Ukraine-joint statement on the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.