Russian military captures nuclear power plant in Ukraine
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, March 5, 2022
The Russian military has captured the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest one in Europe, in southern Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities said Friday.
The plant was seized following a shelling which caused a fire at the plant, the State Inspectorate for Nuclear Regulation of Ukraine said in a statement on Facebook.
Currently, Ukrainian personnel continue to operate the plant, the agency said.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov confirmed on Friday that Russia's armed forces have taken control of the nuclear power plant.
Earlier on Friday, a fire broke out in a training building outside the plant, which the mayor of the nearby town of Energodar claimed was "a result of continuous enemy shelling of buildings and units" of the nuclear power plant.
The Russian Defense Ministry refuted the claim, saying the fire was the result of a provocation by Kiev aimed at accusing Russia of creating a hotbed of radioactive contamination.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Friday that it was informed by the Ukrainian regulatory authorities that there has been no leak of radiation at the plant.
The plant's six reactors were not affected by the blaze, which has been extinguished, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi told a press conference.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)