Zelenskyy assesses possibility of regaining control of Zaporizhzhia NPP through military means
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine likely does not yet have the capability to regain control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant within the framework of combat operations. Political steps are currently being taken on this issue, states Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a briefing in Zaporizhzhia.
"Regarding the return of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, today there are only political steps, and unfortunately, they are not enough to bring the plant back under our control. It is safer for Ukraine to control the Zaporizhzhia plant, and for now, from a battlefield perspective, I do not see such opportunities, and those that might exist are dangerous," the President noted.
He stated that Ukraine believes the plant should be returned under control through political means. This issue is currently being addressed on all platforms.
Zelenskyy clarified that the issue of de-occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP is being handled by Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He will visit Enerhodar and the Zaporizhzhia NPP soon and then intends to visit Kyiv.
Additionally, the President mentioned that Ukraine is working to ensure a rotation of the IAEA team at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, as this is safer.
"At least we understand the information. Maybe not completely, not 100%, but we have some information about what is happening there, and the safety control is still under the IAEA today. I know that he (Grossi-ed.) is expected to come with some proposals for strengthening safety control, and we will discuss the next steps," the President said.
What preceded
Russian forces have controlled the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant almost since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
The enemy has repeatedly staged provocations there to blame Ukraine. Meanwhile, IAEA experts often hear explosions and gunfire in the area around the plant.
In particular, at the end of June, it became known that the external radiation monitoring station near the Zaporizhzhia NPP had been destroyed.
