image source, Reuters
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the largest in Europe, has been under Russian control since March.
The UN nuclear watchdog has called for an immediate end to any military action near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, as there is a “very real risk of a nuclear disaster”.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, said he was “extremely concerned” by reports of bombings at the nuclear power plant. ZaporizhzhiaWhat is it the largest in Europe.
Ukraine claimed that parts of the facility were “seriously damaged” by Russian army attackswhich took over the plant in March.
Moscow has allowed Ukrainian employees to remain at the plant, but Kyiv accuses Russian forces of firing rockets at civilian areas from there, using “terrorist tactics.”
Friday’s attacks underscore “the very real risk of a nuclear disaster that could threaten public health and the environment in Ukraine and beyond,” Grossi said in a statement.
“Any military fire directed at or from the facility would amount to playing with fire, with potentially catastrophic consequences,” he added.
The official also called for Ukrainian personnel to carry out their duties “without threats or pressure,” adding that the IAEA should be allowed to provide technical support.
“In the interest of protecting people in Ukraine and elsewhere from a possible nuclear accident, we must all put aside our differences and act now. The IAEA is ready,” Grossi said.
A few days ago, Grossi himself stated that the plant was “completely out of control.”
Enerhoatom, the operator of the Zaporizhzhia plant, reported that Russian missile attacks had forced the closure of an “energy unit”, as there is a risk of radioactive leaks.
The attacks “caused a serious risk to the safe operation of the plant,” it added.
Moscow said Ukraine carried out the attack.
The BBC was unable to verify the reported damage at the nuclear plant.
“Serious and irresponsible violation”
The European Union has criticized Moscow for the recent bombing. The bloc’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said he “condemns Russia’s military activities” around the plant.
“This is a serious and irresponsible violation of nuclear safety standards and another example of Russia’s disregard for international norms,” said Borrell, who called for the IAEA to be granted access to the plant.
Russian forces control the plant and surrounding areas, close to Ukrainian-controlled territory.
image source, Reuters
there is six pressurized water reactors Y radioactive waste warehouses.
Civilians in nearby Nikopol, which is across the river and still under Ukrainian control, told the BBC that the Russians were firing rockets from around the plant and moving military equipment into the complex.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that “any shelling of this site is a shameless crime, an act of terror.”
The plant is in the city of Enerhodar, in southeastern Ukraine along the left bank of the Dnieper River (Dnipro in Ukrainian).
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