Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency discovered mines at the ZNPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. They were placed in a restricted access area where Russian military personnel have full freedom of action. Additionally, the 4th power unit of the plant has been put into a hot run mode, significantly increasing the risks to nuclear and radiation safety at the ZNPP. It is worth noting that Russia systematically engages in nuclear blackmail at the ZNPP, using it as a tool for political pressure on the West.
The IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi, made an official statement about the mines found at the ZNPP. The Russian side traditionally explains such mining with safety considerations, but it is clear that this discovery is not coincidental. Mining a nuclear power plant is a demonstrative act by the Kremlin after its withdrawal from the grain agreement. The strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces on Ukrainian ports have intensified anti-Russian sentiments worldwide, as the Kremlin has created conditions for global hunger. It is expected that Russia's isolation will increase, prompting them to resort to nuclear blackmail as a tool of political pressure. After the explosion of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant by Russia on June 6 of this year, no one has any illusions about the true nature of Putin's Russia, which commits military crimes and uses them for political pressure on Ukraine and the West.
The mining of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is a serious challenge not only for Ukraine but also for Europe. Russia has traditionally used shelling near this power plant for political leverage: such provocations first occurred in July of the previous year when Russia wanted to disrupt the grain agreement. Currently, Putin is attempting to negotiate with the West regarding the possible lifting of specific sanctions (such as the reconnection of "Rosselkhozbank" to SWIFT, permission for the export of Russian fertilizers, etc.) and is using nuclear blackmail as a means of pressuring the West.
Russia has created a wide range of risks and threats to Ukraine and Europe. The Kremlin uses terror as a tool of war and leverage on the international stage, thus Russia should be recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism, and Ukraine should receive all necessary support to achieve victory over the Russian army and liberate the occupied territories.
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