With regard to the spread of disinformation within the IAEA by the Russian Federation about the alleged detention of the Russian nuclear specialists in the premises of the Rivne NPP the Ministry of foreign affairs of Ukraine informs the following.

 There are no Russian nuclear specialists at the Rivne NPP and they never were there. Four armed citizens of the Russian Federation escorted the shipment of nuclear fuel elements that had arrived to the station before February 24, 2022. Since the arrival the said persons in accordance with the contract were guarding the shipment until its discharge.

On March 23, after handing over the cargo to the Ukrainian side the disarmed Russian citizens left the Rivne NPP.

Currently the Russians reside in the hotel as they have wished. They do not express the desire to come back to Russia.

The Ukrainian side is ready to facilitate the return of the Russian citizens on the territory of the Russian federation in accordance with the current procedures if they change their plans.