Russians shelling ash disposal area of Zaporizhzhia TPP to raise radioactive dust — intelligence

According to Ukrainian military intelligence, the Russian occupiers are targeting the ash disposal area of the Zaporizhzhia thermal power plant when shelling the outskirts of Enerhodar in order to raise clouds of radioactive dust, announced the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Intelligence officers believe the Russians resort to this method to create the "necessary image" at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, manipulate public opinion and influence the world community.

Ash disposal area is the place where ash is stored, which is formed during the operation of thermal power plants. This waste has a high concentration of toxic substances and a level of radiation that is at least 2.5 times higher than the natural background. When the waste dries, it forms dust that can move over considerable distances.

As a result of mortar strikes on these ash pits, clouds of dust are formed, which the wind blows around the outskirts of Enerhodar.

"Monitoring of the radiation background, which is carried out near the nuclear plant, indicates an increase in the level of radiation. The occupiers are trying to present these data as the results of mythical 'strikes by the Armed Forces of Ukraine'," the intelligence agency concluded.

What is happening in Enerhodar?

The city is located neat the Zaporizhzhia NPP, seized by the occupiers, which is currently operating with the risk of violating radiation and fire safety standards. The Ukrainian staff of the station continues to work and make every effort to ensure nuclear and radiation safety, as well as eliminate the consequences of damage.

Russian forces regularly shell this critical site, despite the fact that a contingent of occupation forces and a large number of weapons and ammunition remain there. The occupiers attribute these attacks on the plant to the Ukrainian military.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation threatened to stop the operation of the station, which is under the occupation of the Russian military, due to the alleged shelling of the nuclear power plant by the Ukrainian military. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Russian occupation forces may be preparing provocations at the NPP ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day.

Amid these developments, 25,000 tablets of potassium iodide – a drug capable of protecting the thyroid gland from the accumulation of radioisotopes of iodine in the event of contamination of the area due to an accident at nuclear reactors – were delivered to Enerhodar from the regional reserve through redistribution. The city authorities emphasize that the radiation background at the industrial site and directly in the city ranges within the norm and is not exceeded.