International• Jul 5 ’23 08:10•Edited on Jul 5 ’23 08:45Author: Mark van Harreveld
Russia has placed objects on the roofs of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant that appear to be explosives. Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky warns against this. Zelensky said Russia wants to “simulate an attack” on the nuclear power plant. Russia also warns that Ukraine wants to attack the plant. False flag operations, says Professor of War Studies Frans Osinga of Leiden University.
The Russian Atomic Energy Agency Rosatom warns on state television that the Ukrainian army could try to attack the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant with missiles and drones tonight. “Ukraine is trying to undermine a Russian false flag operation,” says Osinga. (AP/EPA/Sergei Ilnitsky)
The Russian Atomic Energy Agency Rosatom warns on state television that the Ukrainian army could try to attack the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant with missiles and drones tonight. Ukraine denies that, claiming that Russian troops have placed “objects that look like explosives” on the roofs of buildings at the site. “Ukraine is trying to undermine a Russian false flag operation,” says Osinga.
Also read | Kiev warns again of nuclear disaster Zaporizhia
The professor points out that Russia does not shy away from destroying civilian infrastructure and that it already fired on the nuclear power plant last year. That plant is still in Russian hands, but it is in the front line. Russia also accuses Ukraine of wanting to use a so-called ‘dirty bomb’, a bomb that releases radioactivity. Osinga considers it ‘very unlikely’ that Kiev will do that, ‘you cannot retake contaminated territory’.
Also read | “If Russians want to attack Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, they will do it now”
Ukraine trying to undermine a phase flag operation by Russia
Frans Osinga, Leiden University
Osinga believes Russia is capable of using a dirty bomb, but points out that many countries have warned against this. Nevertheless, he does not rule out such actions by Russia, after all, the Russians did not shy away from blowing up the Kachovka dam. ‘Military, however, it will make little difference’, thinks Osinga.
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2023-07-05 06:10:22
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