Russian State Duma discusses threat to Zaporizhzhia Plant

Russia’s lower house, the State Duma, will hold a special meeting today concerning the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

In today’s State Duma session, lawmakers will discuss means to repel Ukrainian attempts to regain control of the plant and prevent a nuclear disaster. Earlier this month, Moscow held Kyiv responsible for firing artillery shells near the Zaporizhzhia plant—Europe’s largest—charges denied by Kiev. While Ukrainian staff are still in charge of the plant’s operation, it has been under Russian control, with heavy military presence, since March. Following the accusations, Moscow sent additional military equipment to the area.

Moscow called for an immediate UN Security Council meeting to discuss about the issue surrounding the safety of the plant. By taking direct action, Moscow aims to get in front of a possible tragedy at the nuclear site due to constant artillery shelling. In this framework, Moscow will insist for international organizations to solve the crisis by cooperating with Russia. While several NATO members—especially the US and UK— called for independent inspectors within the UN’s atomic energy agency to be sent for inspections, in the possible scenario of a disagreement, Moscow could shut down the plant indefinitely.