G7 calls on Russia to immediate return full control of ZNPP to Ukraine

23.10.2022 13:22

Ukrinform

The Group of Seven industrialized nations has condemned Russia’s kidnapping of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant leadership and called for the immediate return of full control of the facility to Ukraine.

That’s according to The Guardian, Ukrinform reports.

“We condemn Russia’s repeated kidnapping of Ukrainian ZNPP [Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant] leadership and staff,” the G7 nonproliferation chiefs said, according to Reuters.

“We urge Russia to immediately return full control of the ZNPP to its rightful sovereign owner, Ukraine,” the statement said.

Russian forces captured the nuclear plant – Europe’s largest – in early March.

On Wednesday, Ukraine’s state nuclear energy agency Energoatom accused russia of detaining two senior employees at the plant.

Energoatom said Russian invaders on Monday “abducted” the plant’s IT head Oleh Kostiukov and assistant general director, Oleh Osheka.

Energoatom had called on International Atomic Energy Agency chief, Rafael Grossi, “to make every effort” to secure their release.

Another plant official, Valeriy Martyniuk, had been released, according to Ukrainian reports.