(Washington Insider Magazine)-Tensions are on rising between Ukraine and Russia as disturbances at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant occur. The nuclear risk is high as bombardments occur around the plant.
Russian powers are accused of turning the power plant just outside Moscow into a military base.
The reported military activity has concerned several UN officials, including UN secretary-general António Guterres who said that the plant’s military action is confusing.
Ukrainian officials believe Russia uses the power plant as a military base to deploy military equipment and weapons. Officials also accused Russia of using the site as a ‘shield’ to attack nearby towns along the Dnipro River.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has also said that Russia is threatening Ukraine with nuclear blackmail. Some Ukrainian officials also claim that Russia has invented a crisis so that other nations must bend their rules. These claims cannot be verified and are likely a result of frustrations from the 6-month-old Russo-Ukrainian war.
Not only are officials concerned about how this will impact Ukraine’s tense relationship with Russia, but they are also worried about the possibility of nuclear accidents that could affect residents’ safety.
Though Ukraine still ‘owns’ the power plant, Russia has taken over operations with rumors that Ukrainian workers are being held at gunpoint.
The plant’s operator has commented on the tensions inside the building and says that while the plant remains safe for now, he believes that Russia may attempt to remove it from Ukraine’s power grid which could have severe implications ahead of the winter months.
In an attempt to protect the safety of local citizens, Guterres proposed for the area around the power plant to become a demilitarization zone, but Moscow has rejected the proposal, leaving citizens at risk of potential nuclear disaster or surprise attacks from the Russian army.
The UN has also not been given any permission to access monitors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), meaning they can’t keep an eye on the plant’s activity.
However, last week Vladimir Putin permitted inspectors to access the site while speaking to French president Emmanuel Macron.
The UN and Tukey have also brokered an agreement that allows them to access Russia’s grain exports. The agreement has been cited as the most diplomatic breakthrough of the entire conflict.
