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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Sam Truelove

Ukraine claims Russia is planning to attack Europe's biggest nuclear station TONIGHT

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have claimed that Russia is preparing to attack the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station - the largest power plant in Europe - tonight.

Russian troops have held the Zaporizhzhia plant since the early days of the invasion of Ukraine, arriving around a month after the war began.

Now, according to Ukrainian Armed Forces, foreign objects similar to explosive devices have been placed on the external roof of the station's third and fourth power units.

It's said their detonation won't damage the plant itself, but will make it look as if it is being shelled by Ukraine.

"Russian mass media and telegram channels are spreading false info about this. The Armed Forces of Ukraine do not violate international humanitarian law. We are monitoring the situation and are ready to act whatever the situation is," Ukrainian Armed Forces said in a statement.

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station has been controlled by Russia for more than a year (AFP via Getty Images)

On Tuesday evening, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine released a statement on Facebook explaining what members of the public should do if there is an explosion at Zaporizhzhia.

The statement says: "In case of an explosion at the power plant, residents of the potential radiation accident zone should be prepared for possible evacuation authorities have officially announced a radiation emergency, stay indoors or get there as soon as possible.

"Stay tuned for further messages and follow instructions from authorities."

Last month Yevgeny Balitsky, governor of Zaporizhzhia, ordered civilians from 18 settlements to leave the area - including Enerhodar, where most of the power station's staff live.

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's president, warned on July 1 a “serious threat” remains in place at the plant, fuelling fears of a nuclear emergency which would dwarf Chernobyl’s 1986 disaster.

A Russian soldier guards the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station (AP Photo, File) (AP)

He told a news conference: “Russia is technically ready to provoke a local explosion at the station that could cause an emission of dangerous substances in the air.

"We are clearly communicating, we discussed the need with our partners so everyone understands why Russia is doing this."

Ukraine have previously claimed invaders have placed mines around the plant.

Emergency teams in Zaporizhzhia have been holding drills where they have issued iodine tablets and established evacuation routes for civilians in the event of an emergency at the power station.

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