Russia Fire in the cooling system of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant
According to Russia, a fire broke out in the cooling system at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Enerhodar in southern Ukraine this evening. The Moscow-appointed governor of the region, Yevgeny Balitsky, stated that there had previously been a Ukrainian attack on the area surrounding the power plant, as reported by the state agency Tass. However, there was no danger, as all of the nuclear power plant's units had been shut down. Radiation levels are within the normal range.
11.08.2024, 23:57
SDA
The Russian authorities spoke of considerable damage to the infrastructure. According to Russia, the fire was caused by a combat drone.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi in turn accused Russia of setting fire to the nuclear power plant. The radiation levels are normal, Selensky wrote on Platform X. "But as long as the Russian terrorists control the nuclear power plant, the situation is not and cannot be normal." He called for an immediate response from the international community and the IAEA.
Russia seized Europe's largest nuclear power plant shortly after the start of its war of aggression and has occupied it ever since. Both sides blame each other for attacks on or sabotage of the power plant. Russia has recently repeatedly complained about Ukrainian drone attacks.
Due to safety concerns, the reactors were already shut down in 2022, but must continue to be cooled. IAEA observers are stationed at the site. The observers reported late in the evening that they had observed heavy smoke in the north of the nuclear power plant after several explosions. They had been informed of an alleged drone attack. There had been no impact on nuclear safety.
