Russian Forces Seize Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant, Says Ukrainian Authority
According to Ukrainian officials, Russian forces have taken control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station. It is the largest Nuclear Power Plant in the whole continent of Europe.
“Operational employees are checking the state of power units,” a local government official wrote on social media, according to Reuters.
Station workers are continuing to work and check the condition of the power units, according to the statement. Following a Russian artillery strike, a fire broke out at the factory, Europe’s largest.
The fire at the nuclear power facility in Ukraine has been extinguished, according to Ukraine’s emergency services.
“The fire at the training building of Zaporizhzhya NPP in Energodar was put out at 06:20 (04:20 GMT). There are no victims to be found “On their social media channels, the State Emergency Service tweeted.
According to a plant spokeswoman, Russian bombardment on the complex continues, and firemen are still unable to reach the conflagration.
Officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the US administration are said to have spoken with Ukrainian officials about the issue.
According to the BBC, nuclear security expert Graham Allison of Harvard University believes the reactor would melt down if the fire persists.
He cautions that, like the 1986 Chernobyl tragedy, this would result in a discharge of radiation that would poison the surrounding region for years.
However, Allison warns that it’s still too early to tell what’s going on at the facility. He claims that employees, including Ukrainians and maybe Russians, are “working hard together to avert anything disastrous.”
He pointed out that the reactor in issue was undergoing renovations, which may indicate that it has less radioactive fuel. Allison believes Russian soldiers are attempting to shut down the facility in order to cut off power to the surrounding area.
According to the IAEA, Ukraine’s regulator told the agency there has been no change in radiation levels at the plant site. Zaporizhzhia generates nearly a quarter of Ukraine’s electricity and is Europe’s biggest.
The safety of the Zaporizhzia power plant is “assured,” according to the chairman of the Zaporozhia regional state administration.
Alexander Starukh said on Facebook that he spoke with the head of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in Enerhodar and was assured of its safety.
He stated, “The director of the ZNPP told me that the object’s nuclear security is currently ensured.”
It comes as senior Ukrainian authorities have warned of a potential nuclear meltdown in the country as a result of Russian bombardment.
Following allegations that Russian soldiers bombarded the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed for immediate assistance.
Zelensky warned of a probable nuclear calamity in an emergency message delivered from Kyiv in the early hours of the morning.
“Please, Europeans, wake up!” he begs.
President Joe Biden of the United States and Director General Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have both communicated with Zelensky’s leadership team.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for a halt to the use of force around the facility, saying that if reactors are damaged, there would be serious consequences.
There has been no change in radiation levels at the facility, but there are still concerns due to reports of Russian bombardment.