A fire erupted on Sunday at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, intensifying tensions between Moscow and Kyiv as both sides accused each other of endangering Europe’s largest nuclear facility. The incident, which occurred amid a backdrop of escalating conflict, has raised fresh concerns over nuclear safety in the war-torn region.
The United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has a presence at the six-reactor plant, reported seeing thick, dark smoke rising from the northern area of the facility after multiple explosions were heard. Despite the alarming scene, the IAEA confirmed that radiation levels remained stable, with no immediate threat detected.
The fire, which reportedly began around 8 p.m. local time, was extinguished shortly before midnight, according to Russian state news agencies TASS and RIA, citing Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear energy company. Both Ukrainian and Russian sources confirmed that one of the plant’s cooling towers and other equipment were damaged in the incident.
Conflicting Reports and Accusations
The cause of the fire remains unclear, with both Ukrainian and Russian authorities trading accusations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian forces of deliberately starting the fire, claiming it was visible from the nearby Kyiv-held city of Nikopol. He condemned the incident as another act of “nuclear terror” by Russia, which has controlled the plant since shortly after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
On the other hand, Russian-installed officials in the occupied southern regions of Ukraine blamed Ukrainian forces for the fire, accusing them of shelling the nearby city of Enerhodar. They also suggested that Ukraine might be attempting to destroy the plant intentionally.
Ukraine’s state nuclear company, Energoatom, suggested that the fire could have been caused by Russian negligence or deliberate arson. They also alleged, without providing evidence, that Russia has been using the plant’s cooling towers to store military equipment and explosives, further increasing the risk of a nuclear incident.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, located close to the front lines of the ongoing conflict, has been a focal point of international concern since it fell under Russian control. Although the plant’s six reactors are currently in cold shutdown, the facility still relies on external power to maintain the cooling of its nuclear material, a critical measure to prevent a catastrophic accident.
This latest incident is part of a broader pattern of mutual accusations between Moscow and Kyiv, each claiming the other is recklessly endangering the plant. The IAEA has repeatedly called for measures to ensure the safety of the site, warning that any disruption to its operations could have severe consequences.
As the conflict in Ukraine enters a new phase, with Ukraine recently launching its largest incursion into Russian territory since the war began, the situation around the Zaporizhzhia plant remains perilous. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, aware of the potentially devastating impact any further escalation could have on both regional and global stability.
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