All safety systems of the six reactors at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in Energodar were not affected by the fire, said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. No radiation was released, he said. Today, Russian troops took control of the territory of the nuclear power plant. During the battle, a fire broke out in an administrative building near the reactors, Ukraine managed to accuse Russia of shelling the reactor.
“It is important to say that all the safety systems of the six reactors at the station were not damaged at all, there was no release of radioactive material. It is important that the systems for monitoring the radiation situation are fully operational,” Mr. Grossi said at a press conference.
The fire at the power plant occurred last night during clashes between the Russian and Ukrainian military. The published video footage shows that a fire occurred on the territory of the station, and launches of lighting rockets were captured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the situation with several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Mr. Johnson called to initiate the convening of an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council because of what happened.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, during the patrol, the mobile patrol of the Russian Guard at about 02:00 “was attacked by a Ukrainian sabotage group.” As a result of shelling from the windows of several floors of an educational and training complex located outside the power plant, heavy fire from small arms was opened at the National Guard.
According to the State Service of Ukraine for Emergency Situations (GSChS), the reactor itself was not affected. The fire was put out this morning. There are no victims or injured.
Read more about the situation in Ukraine on the ninth day after the introduction of troops – in the online broadcast “Kommersant”.