Russian Forces Hit and Occupied Ukrainian Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant

The officials of the Ukrainian government announced that fire is now under control at their largest nuclear power plant in Europe. However, the Russian forces have captured the facility and are now under their control. The chief of the director-general of the International Atomic Emergency Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, issued a press release.

Grossi said there wasn’t any report for the release of radioactive material at the nuclear plant. He said Russia hit a missile at the structure of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and injured 2 people. The power plant is located in southeast Ukraine but wasn’t part of the nuclear reactor.

The atomic agency is still in contact after the strike with managers and regulators at Ukraine’s nuclear plant. Grossi added that there was, fortunately, no evidence of radiation release, and the integrity of the reactors wasn’t compromised.

Mayor Dmytro Orlov Confirmed Attack and Fire

The Mayor of Enerhodar, Dmytro Orlov posted a message on his Telegram account. He said the town is near to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant and the fire is now terminated. Moreover, a nuclear regulator at Ukraine’s plant also issued a statement and confirmed that the fire is now finished.

The Ukrainian state company operating the power plant posted a message on Telegram. The company said the fire at the plant is safe but now under the control of Russian forces. The message said the Russian troops have occupied the administrative building and the entire facility of the power plant.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy released an emotional speech saying the fire could end everyone. He said it could end everyone, end for Europe, and the evacuation of Europe. President Zelenskyy also spoke with President Joe Biden on a phone call.

Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is Safe

The company said its employees are still working inside to ensure the efficient operation of nuclear facilities and prevent radiation release. The official said its website experienced a severe cyber-attack and also confirmed deaths and casualties.

Point to be noted that the Russian forces started shelling at the nuclear facility on Thursday. It initiated concerns about any expected radioactive release as well as prompted calls for Russia to stop its attack.

The Ukrainian Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant provides 25% of Ukraine’s electricity. However, 2-week long war has already destroyed critical infrastructure in Ukraine and started blackouts across the country.

World Response for Nuclear Plant Attack

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also criticized the Russian attack at the Ukrainian nuclear plant. He is planning to call an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council over the recent issue.

The Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau also called the nuclear attack horrible. He said Russia should stop the attack immediately.

The President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda called the Russian attack an act of nuclear terrorism.

The Chinese government has also expressed its concerns in a statement. China has shown its serious concerns about the security and safety of nuclear facilities in the recent Russian attack.

The spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry Wang Wenbin issued a press statement. He said China will continue monitoring developments at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Enerhodar city.

Wenbin said all parties should sustain calm and avoid increasing more tension in the situation. He also showed serious concerns of the Chinese government over the issue.

The IAEA said the fire didn’t affect essential equipment as Ukraine’s nuclear plant regulator reported no change in radiation levels.