A massive fire broke out at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine on Sunday, August 11th. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that there is no risk of increased radiation levels at the nuclear plant, and so far, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant has not been impacted in terms of nuclear safety.
In a statement, the IAEA reported that their experts heard multiple explosions on Sunday and observed “thick black smoke” rising from the northwest area of the nuclear plant. However, as of now, there is no risk of increased radiation levels or impact on nuclear safety. Both the Ukrainian and Russian governments’ reports did not mention any signs of elevated radiation levels.
Ukraine and Russia have been blaming each other for the massive fire at the nuclear power plant. Currently, the region is under Russian military occupation.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy attributed the fire to the “Russian occupiers,” accusing Moscow of attempting to use the nuclear plant to “extort Ukraine, all of Europe, and the world.”
He wrote on X, “We are waiting for the world’s response, waiting for the IAEA’s response.”
He added, “Russia must be held accountable. Only by Ukraine regaining control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant can the situation be restored to normalcy and ensure complete safety.”
In a video he released, a cooling tower at the nuclear plant was seen emitting black smoke with flames visible at the base.
He stated, “Currently, radiation levels are within normal range. But as long as Russian terrorists continue to control the nuclear plant, the situation will not and cannot be normal.”
On the other hand, Russia accused the Ukrainian military of setting the fire. According to Russian news agency TASS, the state-owned “Rosatom” accused Ukraine of launching two military drones at a cooling tower of the nuclear plant on August 11.
Rosatom claimed that this drone attack was an act of “nuclear terrorism on behalf of the Ukrainian authorities.” Russia alleges that since 2022 when the nuclear plant came under Russian control, Ukraine has been attacking the nuclear plant and the city of Energodar where it is located.
Yevgeny Balitsky, the appointed governor of Zaporizhzhia oblast by the Kremlin, stated that Russian President Putin has ordered enhanced security measures in response to the incident.
Balitsky said, “We have made many decisions that allow us to work safely in Zaporizhzhia oblast today and promptly remove all difficulties caused by the enemy.”
The IAEA reported that an unmanned drone collided with a cooling tower of the plant, leading to multiple explosions. Currently, six units within the plant are in a shutdown state, and safety has not been compromised.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi condemned the attack, stating that any military action against a nuclear plant violates the five specific principles established by the United Nations Security Council last year.
Grossi stated in a press release, “These reckless attacks endanger nuclear safety at the plant and increase the risk of a nuclear accident. They must stop now.”
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest in Europe. On July 11th, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops and other unauthorized personnel from the plant and its immediate return to Ukraine.
The resolution was passed with 99 in favor, 9 against, and 60 abstentions. Countries that voted against included Russia, Belarus, Burundi, Cuba, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, and Syria.
Additionally, on August 10th, Zelenskyy indirectly acknowledged Ukraine’s military offensive on Russian territory, as Moscow reported that since August 6th, Ukrainian troops had launched attacks in the Kursk region of Russia.
Military experts suggest that this action may be aimed at drawing Russia’s reserve forces away from the intense battles in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. A Ukrainian presidential advisor indicated that this could increase bargaining power in future negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
On August 11th, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Ukraine’s invasion of Kursk was a terrorist attack.