Blame Games: Ukraine and Russia Accuse Each Other for Fire at Europe’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant
The IAEA assures that there is no risk of increased radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and nuclear safety remains unaffected.
Ukraine and Russia are pointing fingers at each other for a large fire that broke out at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, in southern Ukraine—an area currently under Russian occupation.
The IAEA confirmed that there is no danger of radiation levels increasing and no impact on nuclear safety to date. Both the Ukrainian and Russian governments have also stated that there have been no signs of heightened radiation levels.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the “Russian occupiers” of causing the fire and claimed that Moscow is attempting to use the nuclear plant as leverage against Ukraine, Europe, and the world.
“Russia must be held accountable for this. Only Ukrainian control over the Zaporizhzhia NPP can ensure a return to normalcy and complete safety,” he added.
Video footage posted by Zelenskyy showed a plume of black smoke rising from one of the plant’s cooling towers, along with visible fires at its base.
“Currently, radiation levels are within norm. However, as long as the Russian terrorists maintain control over the nuclear plant, the situation is not and cannot be normal,” Zelenskyy stated.
Yevgeny Balitsky, the appointed governor of the Zaporizhzhia region by the Kremlin, stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed to heighten security measures following a meeting about the incident.
“Numerous decisions were made that enable us to operate safely in the Zaporozhye Region today and address all challenges posed by our enemy in a timely manner,” he remarked.
The IAEA received reports of a drone allegedly striking one of the plant’s cooling towers, resulting in multiple explosions. The safety of the six units at the plant, currently offline, has not been compromised.
IAEA Director General Grossi condemned the attack, emphasizing that any military aggression against the plant violates the five core principles established by the U.N. Security Council last year.
The resolution received 99 votes in favor, with 9 against and 60 abstentions. The countries voting against included Russia, Belarus, Burundi, Cuba, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, and Syria.
Military experts suggested that this action may be aimed at diverting Russian reserves from intense conflict in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, while a Ukrainian presidential adviser implied that it could strengthen Kyiv’s position in future negotiations with Russia.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova alleged on August 11 that Ukraine was carrying out terrorist activities with its incursion into Kursk.
Jack Phillips contributed to this report.