Ukraine says Russia may be planning animminent attackon theZaporizhia nuclear power planton Friday.
Amid growing fears of catastrophe,both sides claim the other is planning a "provocation" in Ukraine. 's state energy company said many staff had been ordered to stay home and Russia wanted it to disconnect the plant from the power grid.
The factory occupied by Russia is the largest in Europe, and the two countries have exchanged accusations over who was responsible for the attacks on the site in recent weeks. It has raised alarm and calls for a demilitarized zone around the site, which Russia has rejected.
Ukrainian energy company Energoatomsaid early Friday morning that Russia would switch off the power block at the Zaporizhia power plant, disconnecting it from the Ukrainian power grid. said he was planning to That would deny the country being a major source of energy. He also said the majority of the plant's staff had been ordered to stay home, and only those who operated the plant were allowed to enter. The Russian military is "seeking a supplier of fuel for diesel generators, which must start after shutdown."
Energoatom provided no evidence to support its claims.
On Thursday, Ukrainian military intelligence Andriy told NBC Newsthat Russian staff at a nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine were told not to come to work on Friday. This could be evidence that Russia is preparing a "massive provocation" at a nuclear power plant on Friday, said Yusov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's main intelligence agency.
Kyiv issued a new warning on Friday that "a large-scale act of terrorism at a nuclear site is very likely."
Russia said the factory's defense system had been strengthened due to fears of an attack on the facility by Ukrainian forces.
On Thursday, Russia threatened to shut down factories and warned of the risk of man-made disaster due to continued shelling by Ukraine.
NBC News has not confirmed either side's claims.
