Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Fire At Largest Nuclear Plant In Europe After Russia Attacks Zaporizhzhia, IAEA Calls For Halt
The firing at the nuclear plant has raised concerns over an accidental damage to 15 nuclear reactors amid the fighting outside the city that accounts for one-quarter of the country’s power generation
New Delhi: With Russia escalating its attack on Ukrainian cities, the forces have targeted a crucial energy-producing city in Ukraine by shelling Europe’s largest nuclear plant on Friday.
Director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday said Russian tanks and infantry had made their way into the town next to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power complex.
US President Joe Biden connected with his Ukrainian counterpart over the incident of firing at the nuclear plant. "Biden 'just spoke with Zelensky' about Ukraine nuclear station," senior US official said, according to news agency AFP.
Biden urged Russia to cease firing on the plant and to allow emergency services at the site.
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According to news agency Reuters, the firing at the nuclear plant has raised concerns over accidental damage to 15 nuclear reactors amid the fighting outside the city that accounts for one-quarter of the country’s power generation.
Ukrainian rescuers say Russian troops are preventing firefighters from accessing blaze at the nuclear plant, AFP reported.
In a series of tweets on Friday, International Atomic Energy Agency (IEAE) confirmed the shelling at the plant. The agency tweeted, "Ukraine regulator tells IAEA there has been no change reported in radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant site."
#Ukraine regulator tells IAEA there has been no change reported in #radiation levels at the #Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant site.
— IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg) March 4, 2022
IEAE tweeted, "IAEA is aware of reports of shelling at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), in contact with Ukrainian authorities about the situation."
In its appeal to halt the use of force, the global atomic agency has warned of severe danger if reactors are targeted.
IAEA director-general Rafael M Grossi spoke with Ukraine PM Denys Shmygal and with Ukrainian nuclear regulator and operator about serious situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. He appeals to stop the use of force and warned of severe danger if reactors hit, the agency wrote.
#WATCH | Adviser to the Head of the Office of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweets a video of "Zaporizhzhia NPP under fire..."#RussiaUkraine pic.twitter.com/R564tmQ4vs
— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2022
In another tweet, IAEA stated that Ukraine informed that the fire has not affected "essential" equipment, plant personnel are taking mitigatory actions.
Earlier, Ukraine regulator told IAEA there has been no change reported in radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant site.
Informing about the Russian attack, Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted, "Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe".
"Fire has already broke out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chornobyl! Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone! (sic)," the foreign minister wrote.
Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broke out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chornobyl! Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone!
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 4, 2022
Located in South Ukraine, it is the region where Russia is most likely to make its biggest gains in its bid to capture Ukraine’s entire Black Sea coast and cut it off from shipping.
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