MOSCOW, March 11. /TASS/. Russia’s National Guard, also known as Rosgvardia, is taking part in the protection of the Chernobyl and Zaporozhye nuclear power plants in Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ press service told TASS.

"Army General Viktor Zolotov stressed that National Guard units are playing a special role in guaranteeing the protection of vital infrastructure and transport networks, including nuclear power facilities, which include the Chernobyl and Zaporozhye nuclear power plants," the statement said.

The department also noted that the ministry’s staff would be taking a very active part in military operations, ensuring public safety and law enforcement, defending the public from crime and looting in settlements liberated from nationalist armed formations. "The National Guard is assisting citizens in establishing a peaceful life, helping with food and medicines, which includes guarding and escorting convoys with humanitarian cargoes," the agency said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories. The sole purpose is the country’s demilitarization and denazification.