According to Igor Vishnevetsky, Deputy Director of the Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Ukrainian side has recently begun to engage in dangerous provocations
UN, August 6. /tass/. Shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces of nuclear facilities in Ukraine can lead to a catastrophe like Chernobyl, a very dangerous situation is developing. This was stated to journalists on Friday evening by Igor Vishnevetsky, Deputy Director of the Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
"Right during our meeting [of the first Main Committee of the Review Conference on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons], information came that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were shelling the Zaporozhye NPP. This is a blatant, unprecedented case," Vishnevetsky said. "This incident could have far-reaching consequences." "When the special military operation began, the Chernobyl and Zaporizhia nuclear power plants turned out to be in the territory occupied by the Russian armed forces. The Chernobyl NPP is not operating, it is mothballed. Zaporizhia NPP is the largest plant in Europe, a huge complex where about 12 thousand people work," the diplomat continued. - Why did the Russian military enter there? Because such objects cannot be unguarded, so that there is no violation of the security of objects. Given what kind of regime is in Kiev, you can expect anything: some nationalists will come, seize the station and act like terrorists, start blackmailing."
"Since nuclear power facilities are under the control of the IAEA, there are special sensors, devices that record everything and send data directly to the agency. Inspections are carried out periodically, - the Deputy director of the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation drew attention. - In this regard, the question arose that the activities of the IAEA at the NPP should be continued. We fully agreed with this. We have been in close contact with the IAEA Secretariat, the agency's Director General. A visit to the Zaporozhye NPP was being worked out. A huge amount of work has been done on logistics, everything has been agreed."
According to Vishnevetsky, literally at the last moment, the UN Secretariat "did not coordinate the trip, but actually disrupted it." "This was done because it was unprofitable for Kiev and its Western sponsors," he said. - The inspection would come and make sure that everything is fine there and the station is operating normally, the staff is in their places. They didn't let me do it. Because there is constant Ukrainian propaganda in the Western media. For example, Ukraine claimed in one of its circulars to the IAEA that equipment and spare parts were not supplied to the station in Zaporozhye. In fact, we agreed that everything should be delivered through the front line. We have invoices confirming the delivery."
"Recently, the Ukrainian side has started to engage in very dangerous provocations. The first was committed in April, when two Polish drones with high-explosive ammunition were sent," the diplomat said. - <...> Today there were targeted attacks on the substation that carries out power supply. In addition, a blow was struck at the Power Plant, where the staff lives. This is a targeted terrorist attack to intimidate people so that they do not go to work." "The situation is very dangerous. I do not know what other actions the Ukrainian side may take if they are not stopped. A catastrophe akin to Chernobyl may occur," Vishnevetsky noted. "But the UN is silent."
