The IAEA Inspects Zaporizhian Nuclear Power Plant – Days 189-190 (August 31 – September 1, 2022)

UAF – Ukrainian Forces
RF – Russian Forces
MLRS – Multiple Launch Rocket Systems

Summary of the Events

UAF continue their counter-offensive in Kherson region supported by intensive long-range strikes against Russian command and logistics locations across the occupied zone. UAF have also been operating air strikes against Russian radar defenses which are critical to RF continued operations.

Belarus

Belarus announced they will be conducting military exercises September 8-14 to train their troops how to retake communities if Ukraine were to invade Belarus. The training will be done with Russian troops.

Battle for the Donbas

Target Bakhmut – RF shelled Bakhmut in the early morning hours on Wednesday against private residential homes. One woman was found dead under the rubble of her home.

Target Slovyansk – UAF border guards discovered a Russian weapons depot on Wednesday during reconnaissance and destroyed it with an anti-tank grenade. Four Russian soldiers were killed in the explosion.

Battle for Kherson (includes Mykolaiv)

The UAF counter-offensive is in full swing. On Tuesday four RF command posts were struck by missiles and artillery, and sixteen RF positions were attacked by air strikes. 117 Russian soldiers were confirmed killed. Equipment destroyed included nine tanks, three MLRS, a self-propelled gun, a howitzer, eighteen armored vehicles, and four weapon depots. Explosions were seen even in the regional capital of Kherson.

On Thursday UAF launched 24 attacks on RF command posts, strongpoints, logistic center, six weapon depots, transport routes, and combat positions. A pontoon bridge RF attempted to construct over the Dnipro River was destroyed. 201 Russian soldiers were killed in the attacks. Equipment destroyed beyond the weapon depots included 12 tanks, 18 armored vehicles, a flamethrower system, an anti-aircraft missile system, six howitzers, two artillery pieces, and three mobile mortars.

Ukraine is remaining silent on territory liberated.

Battle for Zaporizhia

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sent their delegates from Kyiv to the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) on Thursday, but Russia is doing everything in their power to dissuade them from going through with their mission. Russia shelled the city of Enerhodar which they occupy on Wednesday and shelled the region between Reactor 2 and 3 on Thursday. They are blaming UAF for the attacks and warning the IAEA inspectors that their safety cannot be guaranteed. Later in the day on Thursday, Reactor Five was shut down due to Russian shelling. Russia has also been torturing Ukrainian employees of the ZNPP. Those who agree to cooperate will create a scenario that they are in support of Russian occupation and that the nuclear power plant is safe guaranteed while their families are under the point of a gun. Those who would not agree have disappeared. Russia has also purportedly brought in “extra” employees to convince IAEA inspectors that all is well. The IAEA inspectors finally arrived at the plant by afternoon on Thursday. They conducted a few hours of inspections and then nine of the fourteen inspectors returned to Kyiv.

Ukrainian partisans blew up the office of Russian collaborators We Are Together with Russia in the occupied city of Berdyansk on the shores of the Sea of Azov. Partisans also blew up a weapons depot near Melitopol.

RF shelled a ranch on Wednesday just outside of the village of Velyka Bilozerka destroying 1000 head of cattle. Eleven farm buildings were destroyed in the attack. Two employees were injured in the attack.

Battle for Kharkiv

RF fired missiles in the center of Kharkiv on Tuesday night at residential buildings injuring two people.

RF fired five missiles at Kharkiv on Wednesday, but one of them exploded over Russia and another exploded before hitting a target. Three missiles that did reach its target hit residential areas damaging homes and a school. Two elderly women were injured.

UAF air reconnaissance unit discovered a Russian self-propelled artillery vehicle north of Kharkiv on Wednesday and destroyed it in an air strike.

Other Regions

Dnipropetrovsk – RF carried out several attacks on Nikopol over Tuesday night to Wednesday morning hitting a twelve-story apartment building, a school, and a sports center. One civilian was injured.

RF again attacked Nikopol and Chervonohryhorivka Wednesday night to Thursday morning as well as several other settlements. The center of Chervonohryhorivka was targeted injuring one man. Twelve residential buildings, a high school, and village council building were hit.

All these attacks are coming from the ZNPP territory which Ukraine cannot fire back upon.

Odesa – RF fired two missiles on the Odesa region on Thursday. One was shot down and the other hit an open field. There were no casualties.

Sumy – RF continue shelling UAF positions along the border to pin down Ukrainian troops to defend the region and not fight in Kherson.

Other News

Delegates of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday and headed to the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) for inspection the next day. Ukraine called on Russia to suspend all their attacks along the route the inspectors would take to Enerhodar where the plant is located. Russia, feigning support of the IAEA delegation, informed them that they would have only one day to complete their inspection event though the IAEA said they would need several days.

Elementary and high schools started the new school year on Thursday. Teachers have been trained in war preparation to keep the students secure. In areas of daily bombing, the schools will be held online. Half of all schools in Ukraine are now equipped with bomb shelters. Children will be instructed on safety rules surrounding explosive objects. Many schools, although not required by the government, have suspended all language classes teaching Russian. Children will also wear badges that include their blood type and parental contact information.

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