Russia considering Ukraine shelling of Zaporozhye "act of terrorism"

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 Aug 2022 23:58
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Over 10,000 inhabitants from the Zaporozhye region have been left without power and water due to the aggression.

A Russian serviceman guards the area of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Station in territory under Russian military control, southeastern Ukraine, Sunday, May 1, 2022 (AP)

The Russian Defense Ministry is considering the shelling of the Zaporozhye power plant by Ukrainian forces an act of nuclear terrorism under a UN convention adopted by a resolution of the UNGA, according to the head of the Russian National Defense Control Center, Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev.

Mizintsev also leads Russia's humanitarian response coordination headquarters.

Ukrainian troops fired at the territory of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant on Friday, where a fire broke out immediately.

As a consequence, two vital power lines that are necessary for energy providing were cut off.

Over 10,000 inhabitants from the Zaporozhye region have been left without power and water due to the aggression.

"Under the international convention adopted by the resolution of the UN General Assembly of April 13, 2005, we consider these criminal actions of the Ukrainian authorities to be an act of nuclear terrorism," Mizintsev told a briefing.

The official said that if an accident were to happen, which the shelling could potentially cause, the effects would surpass the scale of Chernobyl and Fukushima - the entire terriories of Ukraine, Donetsk, Lugansk, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Bulgaria and Romania would be contaminated by nuclear waste.

He urged the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and other organizations to condemn the Ukraine military for its actions and to take immediate measures to prevent further aggression against Ukraine's nuclear facilities.

Ukrainian forces attacked the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP) on Friday, cutting two electricity transmission lines, the Energodar administration told Sputnik.

"Today, around 3 p.m. [12:00 GMT], during the shift change of ZNPP employees, nationalist units shelled the territory of Zaporizhzhia NPP from the territory controlled by the Ukrainian criminal regime. As a result of this act of terrorism, two power lines supplying electricity to 750-kilovolt outdoor switchgear, necessary for power supply and safe operation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP's power units, were severed," an administration official said.

According to the official, the shelling ignited a large fire in the vicinity of the plant, which is being controlled by personnel from a local fire department.

"At the moment, it is not possible to proceed with the localization of the fire as severed power lines are under voltage, and there is a high probability of precipitation," he said.