UN calls on Russia to withdraw from Europe's largest NPP in Ukraine

The United Nations General Assembly convened on July 11 to issue a demand for Russia to promptly withdraw its military and unauthorized personnel from Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, insisting on returning full control to Ukrainian authorities.

The resolution, adopted by the 193-member body, garnered 99 votes in favour, with nine against and 60 abstentions, Caliber.Az reports referring to foreign media.

Russia seized the Zaporizhzhia plant shortly after launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite being shut down, the facility requires external power to maintain the cooling of its nuclear material and prevent a potential meltdown.

Ahead of the vote, Ukraine's Ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, urged member states to support the resolution, stressing the importance of preventing nuclear disasters for future generations. Throughout the conflict, both Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of attacks on the plant and damaging power infrastructure. Ukraine has denied allegations of targeting nuclear facilities.

The UN resolution also calls for an immediate halt to Russian attacks on critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine, which heightens the risk of nuclear incidents at all Ukrainian nuclear facilities. Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's Deputy Ambassador to the UN, criticized the resolution as promoting a biased Western narrative about threats to Ukrainian nuclear sites.

In addition to demanding Russia cease its aggression and withdraw all military forces from Ukraine, the resolution underscores the General Assembly's role in addressing the Ukrainian crisis, given the Security Council's deadlock due to Russia's veto power.