The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially refuted Russian claims regarding Kyiv's involvement in the death of Alexander Yakovlev. Yakovlev, formerly an employee of a Ukrainian enterprise, switched sides to the occupiers after the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and held the position of chief engineer. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine described Moscow's accusations as part of an information campaign aimed at discrediting Ukraine.
The Russian occupiers' version
The Russian state corporation Rosatom disseminated information that Yakovlev died near the industrial site of ZNPP. According to the Russian authorities, the vehicle in which the collaborator was located was hit by an unmanned aerial vehicle. The General Director of Rosatom has already appealed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) demanding an "operational, specific, and clear response" to this incident. The Agency itself confirmed receiving information from the Russian side.
Kyiv's position: lack of evidence
In a statement by the MFA of Ukraine, it is emphasized that the Russian side has presented no independent confirmation of its version or evidence of Ukraine's involvement in Yakovlev's death. "Information from Russian occupation structures cannot be considered credible," the ministry noted. Kyiv points out that Russia systematically exacerbates the situation around Enerhodar and ZNPP, attempting to intimidate the world with the threat of a nuclear incident and portray Ukraine as a source of danger.
Political pressure and nuclear blackmail
Ukrainian diplomats accused Moscow of increasing political pressure on the IAEA leadership in an attempt to shift responsibility for the consequences of the occupation onto Ukraine. According to Kyiv, the only real cause of threats to nuclear security remains the illegal seizure of the plant, its militarization, and its use for military purposes.
Alexander Yakovlev was entered into the "Mirotdvorets" database for assisting the operation of the seized nuclear power plant and participating in nuclear blackmail. Previously, he worked at the plant as an employee of a Ukrainian state enterprise, but after the invasion, he went on to cooperate with the occupation administration.
Military activity on the territory of the NPP
Russian troops have effectively turned the territory of ZNPP into a military base. The site is equipped with weapon warehouses, and launch pads for strike drones are also used. Despite the fact that repairs on a key power line and other infrastructure objects were recently completed at the plant, full restoration of the NPP's operation remains impossible due to damage to the substation.
