Inspectors from the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog have discovered explosives at the occupied Zaporizhzhia site.
Volodymyr Zelensky warned earlier this month that Russian forces had there placed items “resembling explosives” on the roofs of houses to “simulate an attack,” citing Ukrainian intelligence.
Shortly after the conflict began, the largest nuclear plant in Europe was captured by the enemy. Since then, Kiev and Moscow have accused one another of plotting a false flag operation at the plant.
Rafael Grossy, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, confirmed experts ‘saw some mines located in a buffer zone between the site’s internal and external perimeter barriers’.
In a statement on Monday, he added: ‘The IAEA has been aware of the placement of mines outside the site perimeter and also at particular places inside.
‘Our team has raised this specific finding with the plant and they have been told it is a military decision, and in an area controlled by military.
‘Having such explosives on the site is inconsistent with the IAEA safety standards and nuclear security guidance and creates additional psychological pressure on plant staff…’
‘The team will continue its interactions with the plant.’
His statement did not detail how many mines were found or the precise positions, but stressed they were located at the periphery of the site.
IAEA experts said these were anti-personnel mines, which are normally placed under, on or near the ground.
They are ‘victim-activated’ and designed to detonate when someone steps on, handles or comes near them.
But the agency’s initial assessment was that any detonation ‘should not affect the site’s nuclear safety and security systems’.
Grossi has visited the plant three times since it was taken over but has been unable to clinch an agreement with Russian and Ukrainian authorities to set up a safety regime to prevent accidents.