A significant fire broke out at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the largest in Europe, which has been occupied by Russia since 2022. Ukraine and Russia are blaming each other for the incident. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the level of radiation remained unchanged as a result of the fire.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video on the evening of Sunday, August 11, showing the fire at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and stated that the fire was started by Russian occupiers.
"Radiation indicators are still normal, but as long as Russian terrorists maintain control over the nuclear plant, the situation is not and cannot be normal. Since the first day of occupation, Russia's Zaporozhye nuclear power plant has been used solely for blackmailing Ukraine, Europe, and the world.
We are waiting for a response from the world and from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Russia must answer for this," Zelensky said, emphasizing that only Ukrainian control can guarantee the safety of the Zaporizhia station.
According to the Russian state corporation Rosatom, the Ministry of Emergency Situations fire brigade extinguished the main center of the fire by 23:30. Rosatom claims that one of the two cooling towers was struck by a Ukrainian drone, causing the fire. "This event can be characterized as an act of nuclear terrorism," said Rosatom.
The Ukrainian state company Rosatom alleges that Russia uses the cooling towers of the nuclear power plant to store military equipment and explosives, and that the fire might have been caused by carelessness or deliberate arson.
The International Atomic Energy Agency stated that its experts saw thick, dark smoke and heard explosions throughout the evening. The agency has requested immediate access to the cooling tower to assess the damage. “These reckless attacks endanger nuclear safety at the plant and increase the risk of a nuclear accident. They must stop now,” said Director General Grossi.
Russia seized the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in 2022, shortly after launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. All six of the station's nuclear reactors are currently shut down.
