Ukraine blames the Russian military for a fire at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. “They know where they’re shooting, they’ve prepared for it,” President Zelenskyy said in a video message. US President Biden also intervened.
After shots on the site of the nuclear power plant of
Zaporizhia has been accused by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of “nuclear terrorism”. No other country in the world has ever shelled nuclear facilities, Zelensky said in a video message released that night. “The terrorist state is now turning to nuclear terror.” Apparently, Russia wants to “repeat” the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
He went on to say, “There are tanks equipped with thermal imaging cameras. That means they know where they’re shooting, they’ve prepared for it.” These statements could not initially be verified independently. “Europe needs to wake up now,” Zelensky said.
A fire broke out in Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia, Ukraine, after a suspected Russian attack. According to the authorities, however, the situation is under control, the fire has been extinguished and did not affect the nuclear reactors. Britain called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting over the attack. The “reckless” behavior of Russian President Vladimir Putin could “directly threaten the security of all of Europe,” said Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that according to the Ukrainian government, no increased radioactivity had been measured in the vicinity of the plant. The authority called for an end to all hostilities around the nuclear power plant and warned of “serious danger” if reactors were hit.
US President Joe Biden called on Russia to end its military activities in the area around the nuclear power plant. In a phone call with Zelensky, Biden asked “about the current status of the fire” at the nuclear facility, the White House said. The Russian army must allow firefighters and rescue workers access to the site, Biden said. The US President also spoke to the head of the US National Administration for Nuclear Safety, Jill Hruby.
