Russia may prepare nuclear terrorist attack: Energoatom statement

Energoatom suggested such version and published a corresponding statement.

The company notes that this is indicated by certain circumstances:

"During the last week, Russian occupying forces have been carrying out unauthorized construction work on the territory of dry storage facility for spent nuclear fuel at Zaporizhzhia NPP. Russian military carry out these works in secret mode. Ukrainian personnel and representatives of IAEA present at the ZNPP site cannot get to the construction site," statement says.

Energoatom reported that the storage contains 174 containers, each of which contains 24 assemblies of spent nuclear fuel.  The destruction of the containers will lead to radiation contamination of several hundred square kilometers of the surrounding area.

"For two days now, representatives of Russian authorities and all hostile propaganda have been declaring that Ukraine is allegedly preparing a "dirty nuclear bomb", for which, according to Russian Federation, spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste stored at Zaporizhzhia NPP site can be used. For even greater intimidation to the world, Russians published fake map of potential radiation pollution with the epicenter at ZNPP. Energoatom assumes that such actions may indicate that Russians are preparing a terrorist act using nuclear materials and radioactive waste stored at Zaporizhzhia NPP," Energoatom said.

Company called on the International Atomic Energy Agency to assess provocative and threatening actions and statements of Russian side as soon as possible.

• Russian invading forces put pressure on the employees of ZNPP to sign contracts with Rosatom.

• IAEA experts are to visit Ukraine responding to Kuleba invitation.