ISW explains why Russian forces use power plants as nuclear shield

The report was published on the ISW's website on August 6, Ukrinform reports.

“Russian forces are likely using the NPP to play on Western fears of a nuclear disaster in Ukraine in an effort to degrade Western will to provide military support to a Ukrainian counteroffensive, while also effectively using the plant as a nuclear shield to prevent Ukrainian strikes on Russian forces and equipment,” the report reads.

As reported, on August 5, Russian troops fired twice at the Zaporizhzhia NPP. At 14:30, three explosions were recorded near the industrial site of the plant. The enemy hit the 330 kV high-voltage communication line of the Zaporizhzhia NPP – Zaporizhzhia TPP autotransformer.

In the evening, the Russians shelled the Zaporizhzhia NPP for the second time. The site of the plant was hit three times.

Energoatom said that as of the morning of August 6, the ZNPP was operating with the risk of violating radiation and fire safety standards. Enemy fire caused serious damage to a nitrogen-oxygen unit and an auxiliary building. There are threats of a hydrogen leakage and sputtering of radioactive substance. A fire hazard is also high.

According to Enerhodar Mayor Dmytro Orlov, the Russian troops hide their weapons between the power units of the captured Zaporizhzhia NPP and may have mined the territory of the plant.

If evacuation is necessary, the Zaporizhzhia NPP personnel are deprived of access to shelter as the Russians are hiding in basements from shelling by their own troops.

iy