Moscow claims Yakovlev was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on 15 July.
The assassination of the chief engineer of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Alexander Yakovlev, may negatively affect the prospects for a peaceful settlement of the war in Ukraine, according to a publication by the Russian Izvestia.
Moscow claims that Yakovlev was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on 15 July.
Russia demands international investigation
Russia should ensure a full international investigation into the death of Alexander Yakovlev, stated Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Federation Council (Upper House) Committee on International Affairs, to Izvestia.
According to the publication, 13 people have been killed in the area of the nuclear power plant and in the city of Energodar, where the facility is located, over the past two and a half months. Russian analysts estimate that Moscow may respond by intensifying strikes against Ukrainian defense industry facilities and energy infrastructure.
At the same time, they consider it unlikely that international organizations will react with particular severity.
"Act of terrorism" against the staff
Yevgeny Semibratov, deputy director of the Institute for Strategic Studies and Forecasts of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, characterized the assassination of the chief engineer as an “act of terrorism,” arguing that the target was not only the strategically important nuclear facility but also the intimidation of the personnel ensuring its operation.
As he mentioned, all senior management and engineers of the plant, which is located near the Ukrainian border, now face increased security risks.
Scenarios for a military response
Andrey Kortunov, expert of the Valdai International Discussion Club, estimated that if evidence emerges that the decision for Yakovlev's assassination was taken by the Ukrainian leadership, the conflict will move to a new level of escalation.
In his view, Russia could appeal to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the UN Security Council, requesting an international investigation and an official evaluation of the incident.
If there is, according to him, tangible evidence attributing the responsibility to Kyiv, a military response is not ruled out, with an expansion of attacks against Ukrainian defense and energy facilities.
"Blow to peace prospects"
The publication argues that the ongoing Ukrainian attacks do not contribute to creating conditions for the resumption of peace talks.
It is noted that the dialogue remains essentially frozen since February, when the last meeting of delegations from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine took place in Geneva.
According to the Russian approach presented by Izvestia, the incident at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant constitutes an indication that Ukraine, instead of contributing to the reduction of tension and the safe operation of the facility, is escalating attacks and utilizing, as Moscow claims, “terrorist methods” against the personnel.
Note: The claims of Ukrainian responsibility, as well as the estimates for potential retaliation, come from Russian officials and analysts cited by Izvestia and have not been independently confirmed.
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