The head of Ukraine’s state-owned utility Energoatom remarks Sunday that there are signs that Russian forces are preparing a retreat from the large nuclear power plant in the region of Zaporizhzhia, writes Reuters.

These speculations coincide with the onset of winter weather in Ukraine.

A military expert tells British broadcaster Sky News that such weather conditions are advantageous for Ukrainian forces on account of being better equipped than their Russian adversaries.

President of Energoatom Petro Kotin hopes for an imminent withdrawal of Russian forces from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine, with shelling taking place nearby triggering warnings of a potential nuclear disaster.

”In recent weeks, we have actually been receiving information that shows sign that they might be preparing to leave the plant.”

”In recent weeks we are effectively receiving information that signs have appeared that they are possibly preparing to leave the (plant),” says Kotin to Reuters citing news stories in Russian media that it would be a good idea to leave the site and relinquish control of the power plant to the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency.

”One gets the impression they’re packing their bags and stealing everything they can,” he adds.

On Ukrainian television, he will not definitively say that Russia is commencing a retreat.

”It’s too early. We don’t see this now, , but they are preparing [to leave].”

Earlier this week, the IAEA met with a Russian delegation in Istanbul, Turkey, to discuss the potential formation of a security zone around the nuclear power plant.

British defense expert Michael Clarke tells Sky News that the winter is starting to set in with temperatures of minus 4-5 degrees Celsius. This could have an impact on the development of the war, though Ukrainian forces are better equipped for winter warfare.

Subzero temperatures will serve to highlight the difference in quality between Russian and Ukrainian forces, says Clarke:

”My belief is the Ukrainians will cope better than the Russians because they’re now better equipped and motivated to last the course.”

Russian missile attacks cause sweeping blackouts

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to undergo inspection after near disaster