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The threat facing Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear power plant continues to grow as it was hit at least five times in a series of missile strikes on Thursday.
It remains unclear who took responsibility for the strike, with both Ukraine and Russia blaming each other.
The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said at a UN Security Council meeting late Thursday that this was a “critical time” not only for Ukraine’s security, but for Europe’s security as well. rice field.
Zelensky accuses Russia of ‘nuclear terrorism’ as troops fire at Zaporizhia nuclear power plant
Officials warn that the consequences of damaging the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant could be ‘catastrophic’ as it is the largest nuclear power plant in continental Europe and one of the largest in the world. doing.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said: “Any military action that endangers nuclear safety and security must cease immediately.” Actions can lead to very serious consequences.”
Since the bombardment began on 5 August, the explosion has reportedly damaged communication lines, radiation monitoring sensors, nitrogen oxygen stations, hydrogen pipelines and other parts of the plant’s infrastructure.
According to Reuters, areas near where the nuclear plant’s radioactive materials are stored are also under threat, Ukrainian nuclear agency Energoatom warned.
Grossi told the UN Security Council that he did not believe there was an “imminent threat” to the safety of nuclear power plants, but warned that “that could change at any moment”.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the complete demilitarization of nuclear facilities.
Russian officials claim airbase explosion was ‘accidental’, satellite imagery shows nearly identical crater
The factory has been under Russian military control since March, but its operations continue to be monitored and carried out by Ukrainian authorities.
A Russian delegation on Thursday accused the Ukrainian military of firing heavy artillery at the site during a shift change, noting that Kyiv refused to sign a tripartite pact with the IAEA.
A Ukrainian official said about 500 Russian soldiers were stationed at the nuclear facility as a sort of “nuclear shield” because Moscow knew Ukraine would hesitate to strike in the direction of the nuclear power plant. .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Thursday at a defense conference with world officials in Denmark that the fallout from damage to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant could be worse than Chernobyl.
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“Only the complete withdrawal of Russians from the territory of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and the restoration of full Ukrainian control over the situation around the plant will guarantee the restoration of nuclear safety throughout Europe,” Zelensky said at night. said in his speech.
“This is not just a Ukrainian need, it is a global concern,” he added.