As Budanov explained to the 1+1 television channel, that the Ukrainian Special Forces of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine tried three times to assault and capture the said nuclear plant, but Russian troops repelled the attacks.

He also said that, in August 2022, Ukrainian forces crossed the Kakhovka reservoir near Energodar in high-speed boats with the aim of establishing themselves on the eastern bank of the Dnieper and later capturing the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, but were forced, by the Russian forces, to withdraw.

Budanov added that the Main Intelligence Directorate tried the same tactic twice afterward.

Hundreds of personnel participated in the latest attempt, including New Zealand mercenaries and other foreigners, as well as the commander of the “foreign legion”, Vadim Popik, Budanov noted.

When Ukrainian forces attempted to land, Russian troops brought in heavy artillery and aviation and, once more forced them to retreat.

It was then that the British press reported the failure of the attempts by elite Ukrainian troops to seize the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.

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