The director-general of Russia’s state nuclear agency Rosatom, Alexei Likhachev, denied on Thursday that Russia was planning to blow up Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear plant, saying only “a complete idiot” would do such a thing.
“You would have to be a complete idiot to prepare to blow up the factory when there are 3,500 workers working there every day, and also a very significant number of people who have come from all over Russia to help with technological and safety issues.” said in a video on Telegram.
Rosatom’s director argued that the “secret” Russian army exposed Ukrainian preparations to attack the nuclear power plant, an operation that Kiev attempted to hide behind information alleging alleged Russian intentions to blow up the plant.
“The best way to deal with information attacks, information warfare is to honestly show the current situation and confirm this situation with independent assessments,” he defended.
In an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin close to the Kremlin, Alexei Likhachov said that Russian authorities responded “with words and deeds” to the Ukrainian allegations, something confirmed by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors in this facility.
Ukraine has accused Russia of undermining the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, controlled by the Russian military since March 2022, denying information from IAEA experts present at the plant, saying there is “no visible indication” of it.
“So far they have not seen any mines or explosives,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
The military offensive launched by Russia in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 was justified by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, with the need to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine for Russia’s security.
Source: DN
