Russian army shells Ukrainian nuclear power plant

• 3 years ago (2022-03-04)
• David Flin

Europe 1148 Nuclear 712

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Russian troops invading Ukraine started shelling the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in SE Ukraine early on Friday 4 March.

Andriy Tuz, spokesman at the Zaporizhzhia plant, said that the plant was being deliberately targeted, and a fire had started in a training building near the reactors. He added that firefighters could not get to the blaze because they were being shot at by Russian troops.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the fire has not caused a change in the plant’s radiation level, nor had the shelling or fire caused any damage to essential equipment.

In a series of statements posted to Twitter, the IAEA said: “Ukraine regulator tells IAEA there has been no change reported in radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant site. Ukraine tells IAEA that fire at site of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has not affected essential equipment, plant personnel taking mitigatory actions.”

Reports from the plant on Friday, 4 March state that the fire was extinguished after four hours, and the Russian troops forced to withdraw.

The IAEA said that it Director General Mariano Grossi was in touch with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Schmygal and the Ukrainian regulator and operator about the situation. In another tweet, the IAEA said Grossi: “appeals for halt of use of force and warns of severe danger if reactors hit.”