UN adopts resolution for withdrawal of Russian troops from Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Uzbekistan remains neutral

On July 11, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on the safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine, as reported by the organization's press service. The resolution calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The initiative was supported by 99 of the 192 member states, with 9 votes against and 60 abstentions.

Belarus, Burundi, North Korea, Cuba, Mali, Nicaragua, Russia, Syria, and Eritrea voted against the resolution. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan were among the 60 countries that abstained. Turkmenistan did not participate in the vote. Other countries that abstained included Algeria, Armenia, Vietnam, China, Mexico, Mongolia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and several others.

The authors of the resolution reaffirmed Ukraine's internationally recognized borders, including its sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.

It is noted that decisions made by the General Assembly are advisory in nature and are not binding. The document, titled "The Safety of Nuclear Facilities in Ukraine, Including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant," contains 13 articles. One of the articles demands that the Russian Federation immediately withdraw its military personnel and other unauthorized staff from the power plant. It is emphasized that Russian troops should leave Ukrainian territory within its internationally recognized borders.

Since October 2022, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been under the control of "Rosenergoatom," a subsidiary of "Rosatom." On June 21, 2024, a transformer was damaged following an attack by Ukrainian forces on the Raduga substation. On June 26, the radiation control post at the Velikaya Znamenka station was destroyed due to artillery shelling. On July 3, a drone attack on the substation injured eight employees of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Previously, it was reported that a drone attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant damaged the reactor shell.