A fire erupted in the cooling system of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday evening.
Heighten Risk of Nuclear Attack
This plant, located in Enerhodar and occupied by Russian forces since March 2022, has been the center of renewed tension between Moscow and Kyiv. Both sides have accused each other of responsibility for the incident, according to Digi24.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has a team on-site, reported that while the fire was significant, it did not impact nuclear safety as all six reactors were shut down at the time.
The IAEA is calling for immediate access to the affected area to assess the damage and determine the cause of the fire. Rafael Grossi, the IAEA Director General, has urged an end to “irresponsible attacks” that heighten the risk of a nuclear accident.
Completely Extinguished
Vladimir Rogov, the head of the Russian-installed administration in the region, confirmed that the fire had been "completely extinguished." However, he noted that the IAEA experts observed thick black smoke and heard multiple explosions, which they believe were linked to a possible drone attack on one of the cooling towers.
The situation is tense, with conflicting claims from both sides. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Russian forces of starting the fire, while the Russian-installed governor of the region, Yevgeny Balitsky, blamed Ukrainian shelling for the blaze.
Despite these accusations, Balitsky assured that the radiation levels around the plant remain normal, a statement corroborated by the IAEA.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest nuclear facility, has been a focal point of conflict throughout the ongoing war, with both Russia and Ukraine accusing each other of endangering nuclear safety. The IAEA has repeatedly called for restraint to prevent a potential nuclear disaster amid these hostilities.
