The Ukrainian atomic energy company denounced a Russian bombardment having “seriously damaged” the plant and causing a “serious risk” for its safety. Moscow denies any strike.
One of the reactors of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, under the control of Russian forces, has been stopped, the Ukrainian atomic energy company announced on Saturday, after strikes for which kyiv and Moscow accuse each other.
“Following the attack on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the emergency protection system was triggered on one of the three working reactors, which went out,” Energoatom announced in a message on Telegram.
According to this source, the bombardments “seriously damaged” a station containing nitrogen and oxygen and an “auxiliary building”. “There are still risks of leaking hydrogen and radioactive substances, and the risk of fire is also high,” she said.
“The bombardment (…) has caused a serious risk for the safe operation of the plant”, continued Energoatom, indicating however that it continues to produce electricity and that Ukrainian personnel continue to work there. .
Central targeted by 3 strikes according to kyiv
Ukrainian authorities on Friday accused Russian forces of carrying out three strikes near a reactor at the Zaporizhia power plant in the south, although Moscow has controlled this territory since the start of the invasion.
The Russian army for its part affirmed that the Ukrainian forces are at the origin of these strikes, which caused a fire which was extinguished.
On July 21, Russia had already accused Ukrainian forces of having struck with a drone on the territory of this nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe.
kyiv also assures that Moscow is storing heavy weapons and ammunition on the territory of the power plant, occupied since March by Russian forces.
Source: BFM TV
