Fire at Europe's largest nuclear plant: Russia and Ukraine trade blame
A fire broke out in the cooling system of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Ukraine, with reports indicating no immediate threat to the plant's operations. Both Russia and Ukraine are accusing each other of causing the incident.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova took to Telegram to accuse the Kyiv government and the West, stating, "They have killed the Ukrainian people, undermined global energy and food security, and now they have initiated nuclear terror on the continent."
Yevgeny Balitsky, the governor of the Russian-annexed Zaporozhye region, provided an update on the situation at the nuclear plant. He claimed that the fire in the cooling system was caused by artillery strikes from the Ukrainian military. Balitsky emphasized that the six units at the plant are in cold shutdown mode, with no risk of explosions or other dangers.
Balitsky also noted that radiation levels at the plant and in the surrounding city remain normal, and efforts to extinguish the fire are ongoing.
The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, located in southeastern Ukraine, is the largest nuclear plant in Europe. The plant has been under Russian control since March 2022. Artillery attacks have been reported around the plant, with Russia and Ukraine blaming each other for the hostilities.
UKRAINE: RUSSIA CAUSED THE FIRE AT ZAPOROZHYE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of starting the fire at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant.
In a post on X, Zelensky stated, "We have recorded Russian occupiers starting a fire in the Zaporozhye NPP area from Nikopol." He added that initial readings show radiation levels are normal but warned that this might not continue.
Zelensky also accused Russia of using the nuclear plant as a tool to blackmail Ukraine, Europe, and the world since the day they seized control of it.
He called on the international community and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to take action, stating, "Russia must be held accountable for this. Only Ukrainian control over the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant can guarantee a return to normalcy and complete safety."
IAEA STATEMENT
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a statement on its X account, noting that its experts witnessed thick black smoke rising from the northern area of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant after multiple explosions were heard in the evening.
The IAEA team was informed that the plant's cooling towers had been targeted in a drone attack. No impact on nuclear safety has been reported.
