According to one Ukrainian military volunteer, Russia believes it can blackmail America by attacking Zaporizhzhia’s nuclear power station.
In recent weeks, the plant has been repeatedly shelled, and Ukraine accuses Russia of using it to its strategic advantage, which could lead to nuclear catastrophe.
Moscow and Kyiv blame each other for these attacks.
Seva, a 40-year old military volunteer from Dnipro, gives an insight into how the Ukrainian side feels.
Subscribe to Ukraine War Diaries wherever your podcasts are available
“Russians think that Europe, Ukraine and the United States of America are civilized countries. They are weak, too humanist, too soft, and will be blackmailed to get some results.
“I know that the Russians placed a lot weapon and military equipment, trucks and other items in the station to avoid any hits from our forces, as far as I can tell from our soldiers and news.
“And in fact, my opinion and that of many others, only nuclear blackmailing of Europe, Ukraine and – nobody could ever predict such type of things.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency sent inspectors into Ukraine this week. They concluded that the plant’s physical integrity had been “violated”.
The plant is inspected regularly by inspectors.
Seva stated, “Most thoughts are with Zaporizhzhia’s power plant and what is going there.”
“I was walking by this plant a few years back. It is huge. It’s enormous. It’s Europe’s largest nuclear power station, and you know that.
The creators of Sky News’ award winning StoryCast podcast, Ukraine War Diaries, is a weekly podcast that follows those who live on Europe’s new frontline and those who escape it.
Producer: Robert Mulhern
Additional writing and promotion: David Chipakupaku