Ukraine nuclear operator assesses risks for ZNPP in case of offensive 

He made the statement in an interview with CNN.

According to Kotin, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will do everything to avoid damaging the nuclear facility.

"It is not needed [to use force]. What you need is just to cut the connection between Zaporizhzhia NPP and Crimea. What is required to do is just to re-take Melitopol and then this communication between Russians [at NPP] and supply chain and supply lines where they can actually get out," he said.

According to Kotin, Russian troops will have no choice but to retreat.

"They will be surrounded by Ukrainian forces and the only road to go out to Crimea will be captured by us. That means they will have only two options, either surrender or just get out from there," emphasized the head of Energoatom.

He believes the danger to ZNPP is extremely low.

"They [the Russians] are crazy, but not crazy enough. They still have nuclear workers from Rosatom (Russian nuclear agency), who are operators of nuclear power plants and technically these people understand the risks," Kotin said.

• According to the Ukrainian General Staff, Russian troops are already taking the families of ZNPP workers to the Rostov region, Russia.

• Earlier, Russian troops reportedly placed explosives in the turbine room of the fourth power unit of the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP.