Blame Games: Ukraine and Russia Accuse Each Other for Fire at Europe’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant

August 12, 2024 TruthUSA

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 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported in a statement that their experts observed “thick, dark smoke” emanating from the northwestern part of the plant on August 11, accompanied by multiple explosions.

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.

Zelenskyy expressed his expectation for a response from the world and the IAEA.

“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.

In contrast, Russia accused Ukrainian forces of initiating the fire. The state-owned Rosatom claimed that Ukraine deployed two military drones to target one of the plant’s cooling towers on August 11, according to the Russian news agency TASS.

Rosatom characterized the drone attack as “an act of nuclear terrorism on behalf of the Ukrainian authorities,” alleging that Ukraine has been carrying out attacks against the plant and the city of Energodar—its location—since it came under Russian control in 2022.

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.

“These reckless attacks jeopardize nuclear safety at the plant and heighten the risk of a nuclear incident. They must cease immediately,” Grossi stated in a statement.

The Zaporizhzhia plant is the largest nuclear power facility in Europe. On July 11, the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution demanding that Russia withdraw its military and unauthorized personnel from the plant and promptly return it to Ukraine.

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.

Meanwhile, on August 10, Zelenskyy indirectly confirmed that Ukraine was conducting a military operation in Russian territory following reports of attacks by forces in the Kursk region since August 6.

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.

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