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Greenpeace Germany has today released a new analysis from McKenzie Intelligence Services(1) on the Russian government’s claims on allegedly Ukrainian UAV drone attacks against the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Their preliminary assessment based on the limited publicly available imagery is that the drones are likely to have been launched close to the ZNPP and thus likely, but not conclusively, from within Russian occupied territory. Furthermore, in regards the damage to the roof of the training center, while McKenzie do not rule out an aerial delivery, they report that it could be as a result of explosives placed on the roof. McKenzie notes that the Russian government is expert in what is termed as maskirovka or deception. It would benefit them to demonstrate Ukrainian irresponsibility with regards to nuclear safety and put pressure on the international community to sanction Ukraine for such behavior. This would benefit Russia. Mckenzie concludes that “this could be a false flag operation”.
“Clearly a lot more information needs to be disclosed by the Russian government and the IAEA before a definitive conclusion can be reached. What it shows is that within the nuclear plant area which is tightly controlled by Rosatom and the Russian armed forces a dangerous game is played with the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe” said Shaun Burnie, nuclear specialist at Greenpeace Germany. “In the light of last weeks intensive global communication campaign by the Russian government, including diplomats and Rosatom, Greenpeace is deeply concerned that the Russian accusations are nothing less than weaponized disinformation to distract attention from the only real and growing threat to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant which is the illegal and the uniquely dangerous occupation by Russia’s armed forces and Rosatom. That is what the IAEA and Security Council should focus on today,” said Burnie.
A fact check analysis comparing claims by the Russian government, including Rosatom with the McKenzie analysis has also been compiled by Greenpeace Germany (2).
Notes
1. Analysis Of Alleged Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Attacks Against The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), 12 April 2024, McKenzie Intelligence Services. The assessment was conducted by the McKenzie team of imagery analysts, all of which are former military intelligence analysts and are graduates of the UK MoD and NATO-recognized Imagery Analysis Course (UKIAC). This course includes in-depth study of industrial processes including power generation. The course also develops the analyst’s expertise in military equipment and activity including ground forces.
2. Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Fact check with McKenzie
