Russia 'booby traps nuclear power plant'

EUROPE'S largest nuclear power plant has been booby trapped with explosives by Russian forces, Ukraine's leader has insisted.

- Tony Whitfield

His warning about Zaporizhzhia, which has been under Moscow's control since March 2022, comes despite the International Atomic Energy Agency last week saying it has found no sign of mines or explosives at the site.

Volodymyr Zelensky claimed last night that the IAEA has confirmed mines had been placed there. He added that Russia still has hundreds of heavily armed men at the plant, which is along the front line east of the Dnipro river.

Speaking ahead of a visit by Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez, whose country took over the EU presidency yesterday, Mr Zelensky said: "The Zaporizhzhia NPP is mined.

"We have a clear confirmation. According to our information there are about 500 fighters at the plant, with weapons of different levels. When there are mines, when there are weapons, there is definitely danger."