- Fire in the cooling system of Sapporo power plant
In the Russian-occupied nuclear power plant Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine, a fire broke out at the cooling system in the evening, according to Russian reports. The Russian-appointed governor of the region, Yevgeny Balitsky, claimed that there had been a Ukrainian attack on the area around the power plant, as reported by the state news agency TASS. However, there is no danger, as all blocks of the NPP are shut down, and the radiation levels are normal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of setting fire to the NPP. While the radiation levels are normal, Zelenskyy wrote on the X platform, "But as long as the Russian terrorists control the nuclear power plant, the situation cannot be normal." He called for an immediate reaction from the international community and the IAEA.
Russia captured Europe's largest nuclear power plant shortly after the start of its war of aggression and has been occupying it since. Both sides blame each other for attacks on the power plant or sabotage.
Due to safety concerns, the reactors were shut down in 2022 but still need to be cooled. IAEA observers are stationed on the site.
The European Union, expressing concern over the situation, urged Russia to ensure the safety and security of the European Union-owned Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as it remains under Russian occupation. Despite Russia's denials, the European Union believes that Moscow's actions could potentially lead to a nuclear disaster, thereby endangering the entire continent.
