According to the Ukrainian defense intelligence (GUR), the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant will continue to face threats as long as it remains under Russia's control. Andrii Yusov, spokesperson for GUR, made this statement during a national telethon, Ukrinform reports.

Yusov highlighted that there was an immediate risk of sabotage and terrorist attacks at the plant when it was occupied by Russian forces. However, through a series of measures, the acute phase of this threat was mitigated. Nonetheless, the danger to the plant itself, its staff, and the surrounding territories will persist until Ukraine regains control of the facility. Yusov emphasized that only then can compliance with international nuclear standards and the safety of civilians be restored.

Referring to the recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which claimed that Russian troops had again mined the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant's perimeter, Yusov stated that such actions were not surprising. He recalled that last year, the GUR and Ministry of Defense had already exposed the existence of minefields and explosive barriers set up by the Russian forces. Despite these facts, the IAEA experts did not confirm the claims at that time.

Yusov further explained that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant had become more than a civilian facility; it had been transformed into a military base by the occupying forces. He enumerated previous incidents, including strikes originating from the plant, imitation shelling by Russian forces, the deployment of missile systems, unmanned aerial vehicle activities, and the presence of enemy personnel, including Russian Guardsmen. These occurrences have been witnessed by the nuclear power plant in the past.

Regarding the potential removal of forces, equipment, and mines prior to the arrival of specific IAEA experts, Yusov acknowledged that this was an ongoing practice at the plant. He emphasized the importance of reporting such incidents, regardless of any potential inconvenience caused, as it is crucial to speak the truth.

Recently, the IAEA released a report highlighting the repeated mining of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by Russian forces along its perimeter.