Russian troops have seized Europe’s largest nuclear power station and following a shelling attack a fire broke out at the plant which could lead to “the evacuation of Europe.”
In an emotional speech Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he feared an explosion caused by Russian troops at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant that would be “the end for everyone. The end for Europe. The evacuation of Europe.”
“Only urgent action by Europe can stop the Russian troops.
“Do not allow the death of Europe from a catastrophe at a nuclear power station.’”
Ukrainian politicians have given a stark warning that there is a “real threat of nuclear danger.”
!!!!!! The nuclear power plant is on fire!!!!!!!!
The Russians fired on the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe. There is a very high probability of a planetary catastrophe. #RussiaInvadedUkraine #russia #ukraine #Russian_invasion https://t.co/XlII3K5Nqw pic.twitter.com/wCbXTI4nez— Alvaro Delgado (@AlvaroDel_Gado) March 4, 2022
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba warned, “If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chernobyl,” which was then the world’s largest nuclear disaster in 1986.
The State Inspectorate for Nuclear Regulation said the Nuclear Power Plant is now occupied by the Russian military forces.
The State Inspectorate said staff are still working at the plant and are monitoring the nuclear power station to “ensure their safe operation.”
Fighting still ongoing at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Reactors are circled in green. Approximate location of the fire seen on the camera is the red X. Yellow arrow is the advancing Russian armoured column.
can't believe I just wrote that and it's real life. pic.twitter.com/2rvbQJ8r1k— SkawINT (@Skawtish) March 4, 2022
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the fire has not affected any of the essential equipment and radiation levels have not changed as there has not been any release of radioactive materials.
The American Nuclear Society said radiation levels remained within natural background levels.
“The real threat to Ukrainian lives continues to be the violent invasion and bombing of their country,” the group said in a statement.
The British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab told Times Radio, “It is clearly reckless, irresponsible and not only the fact they were shooting, bombarding that particular site, but when the Ukrainian emergency authorities were trying to put out the fire, the shelling continued.
“It must stop.
“We support the Ukrainians in dealing with the security situation there but also I think come down hard on Vladimir Putin.”
He added, “It is an affront to the world at large.”
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