Renat Karchaa, adviser to the director-general of the Rosenergoatom concern, commented on the statements attributed to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine regarding a supposed provocation at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. He framed those assertions as an attempt to shift the narrative away from the broader goal of demilitarizing the ZNPP. The agency Tass reported these developments, emphasizing the strategic context behind the timing of the claims.
Karchaa suggested that one of the most plausible explanations for the Ukrainian side to float such a narrative could be political pressure aimed at unity within the General Assembly and the United Nations Security Council. The objective, in his view, would be to influence the discourse before the IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi presents a plan intended to create safe operating conditions at the ZNPP and to reframe the issue around demilitarization.
The adviser warned that any weakening of the National Guard forces guarding the station could immediately raise the risk of a forceful attempt to seize the facility. In his assessment, current tensions around the site are linked to broader security concerns, and he underscored the importance of maintaining a stable, well-protected perimeter around the plant to prevent escalation.
According to Karchaa, there exists a real threat of artillery activity directed at the Zaporizhzhya plant by forces aligned with Ukraine. He argued that Kiev’s authorities are preparing the international community to interpret such actions as provocations by Russia, while trying to preemptively frame Russia as the aggressor. The emphasis, as described, is on shaping international public opinion ahead of diplomatic efforts and verified inspections.
Volodymyr Rogov, a political commentator associated with the group We Are with Russia, offered a perspective that reflected the Ukrainian military posture. Rogov warned of a hypothetical operation by Ukrainian forces aimed at seizing control of the ZNPP. This view illustrated the highly charged rhetoric surrounding the plant and the high-stakes nature of any potential moves near its facilities.
Former Rogov figures charged with oversight alleged that Kiev has disrupted the rotation of representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency during their visits to the ZNPP. The exchange pointed to the ongoing friction between Ukrainian authorities, international observers, and Russian-backed voices, all contributing to a tense international dialogue about the plant’s security and the risks of escalation.