Ukrainian defense intelligence officials say Russian forces may attack a nuclear power plant under their control, and then put the blame on Kyiv, in order to prevent Ukraine from conducting a counteroffensive.

On Friday, the officials said the Russians are preparing to carry out an attack on the premises of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. The plant has been occupied by Russian troops for more than 14 months.

The officials claim the purpose of the planned attack is to create a scenario in which the international community will have to conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether radioactive materials have leaked out of the plant. But the officials did not provide any evidence.

They say Russia's forces hope to buy time to regroup and to stop Ukraine's counteroffensive.

Meanwhile, a senior official of Russia's Federal Security Service said in an interview with his country's state media that military threats along the border with Ukraine have been increasing. He said the Ukrainians have been engaging in provocations and sabotage.

The official said more than 2,000 attacks on transport and energy infrastructure have been recorded since February of last year.

A spokesperson for the German Defense Ministry told NHK on Saturday that Ukraine has made a request for Taurus air-launched cruise missiles.

The missiles have a range of about 500 kilometers. That is about twice as long as the Storm Shadow cruise missile's range. Britain has given Kyiv Storm Shadows.

The spokesperson did not say whether the German government will agree to Kyiv's request.