BREAKING:
Ukrainian troops try to seize Zaporozhye nuclear plant – Russia
Two commando groups landed near the station, Moscow has said
Kiev sent commando groups in an attempt to capture the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant on Thursday morning, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed.
There were two separate “sabotage groups” of up to 60 troops, which used six boats to cross the Kakhovka Reservoir and land about three kilometers from the nuclear facility early in the morning, according to the statement. They attempted to capture the station from the Russian troops who are guarding it, the ministry said.
The Russian military said it took action to “destroy the enemy, including by deploying close air support aircraft.”
The ministry also claimed that about two hours after the landing of the commando forces, Ukrainian artillery started shelling a certain location near the city of Energodar, which hosts the power plant. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who are on their way to visit the facility, are scheduled to pass the area, according to the report.
“The provocation of the Kiev regime is aimed at derailing the arrival of the IAEA mission to the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant,” the ministry said.
READ MORE: City under fire as UN nuclear inspectors head to the area
The plant and the city have been under Russian control since March. In August, the nuclear site was targeted by regular artillery and drone attacks, which Moscow and Kiev blamed on each other. Ukrainian officials also claimed that the Russian military was using the plant as a military base, stationing heavy weapons there. Moscow denied the accusations, stating that it only had lightly armed guards defending the facility.
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https://www.rt.com/russia/561943-ukrainian-troops-seize-zaporozhye-nuclear-plant/