Russia fires on Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant that could spark explosion ‘ten times larger than Chernobyl’The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the largest of its kind in Europe, is on fire after an attack by Russian troops, the mayor of the nearby town of Energodar says.
There had been fierce fighting between local forces and Russian troops, Dmytro Orlov said in an online post on Friday, adding that there had been casualties without giving details.
“A threat to world security!!!” Orlov posted to Facebook.
“As a result of relentless shelling by the enemy of the buildings and blocks of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is on fire.
“I demand, stop! Immediately stop shelling the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant point blank.”
The Russian army is “firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted on Friday.
“Fire has already broke out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chernobyl!
“Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone!”
Firefighters are unable to reach the fire at the nuclear power plant, according to the mayor.
“The Zaporizhzhia Power Plant is notifying of a threat at the first block of the power plant,” he said.
“The fire at the plant is continuing. The firefighters cannot reach the location of the fire.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a tweet it is “aware of reports of shelling at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant”, and that it was in contact with Ukrainian authorities about the situation.
Before the fire broke out, the IAEA released a statement warning that Russian troops were approaching the area and any fighting near the plant could be disastrous.
Ukraine told the IAEA “a large number of Russian tanks and infantry ‘broke through the block-post’ to the town of Enerhodar, a few kilometres from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP)”, the IAEA said in a statement.
It added that Ukraine’s regulatory authority had sent them an “urgent letter”, warning that Russian troops were moving directly toward the nuclear plant and the situation was “critical”.
Earlier, the mayor posted to Facebook warning of intense fighting on approach routes to the nuclear power plant.
“Our National Guard fighters are defending,” he said.
“There are victims, but the exact number and condition so far cannot be determined under the circumstances.”
In an earlier post he wrote, “stop shelling the Zaporizhzhia power plant”.
Ukrainian authorities had earlier reported Russian troops were stepping up efforts to seize the plant and had entered the town with tanks.