Russia’s Defense Ministry on Thursday denied that its army was stockpiling “heavy weapons” at Ukraine’s Zaporozhisha nuclear power plant, which was recently bombed.
“Russian troops have no heavy weapons in the factory premises or in the surrounding areas. There are only units responsible for security,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The Russian armed forces are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant,” the statement added.
He also accused the Ukrainian government of planning a “provocation” on the ground Thursday during a visit by UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres to Ukraine.
Moscow assumes that Ukrainian artillery units want to fire on the power plant and then accuse Russia of causing a nuclear accident.
Russia and Ukraine have been trading allegations since late July about the recent bombing of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, fueling fears of catastrophe.
Kyiv has accused Moscow of storing heavy weapons at the plant and using the site as a firing platform against its army positions, but the Kremlin denies it.
at In early March, Russian troops took control of the plantshortly after the February 24 invasion of Ukraine began.
To ensure site security and allow for an inspection mission, Antonio Guterres and the US government last week announced a proposal to establish a demilitarized zone around the facility.