Russian troops have taken control of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine following a fire that sparked global fears of radiation leaks and damage to nuclear reactors.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine was attacked by the Russian military on Thursday night.
“The assault triggered phone calls between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden and other world leaders. The U.S. Department of Energy activated its nuclear incident response team as a precaution,” according to the Associated Press.
Firefighters were initially unable to put out the flames as the firefight and shelling continued.
“Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broke out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chornobyl! Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone!” Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba tweeted overnight.
Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broke out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chornobyl! Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone!
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 4, 2022
The fire reportedly did spread to one of the plant’s reactors according to a plant spokesman before being controlled.
“Nuclear plant spokesman Andriy Tuz told Ukrainian television that shells were falling directly on the facility and had set fire to one of its six reactors. That reactor is under renovation and not operating, but there is nuclear fuel inside, he said,” according to the AP.
It was later reported that a U.N. official noted that none of the plant’s nuclear reactors were hit.
“In the atttack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in the southeastern city of Enerhodar, the chief of the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said a Russian ‘projectile’ hit a training center, not any of its six reactors,” the AP reported.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted early Friday morning that he had spoken with Japan’s prime minister regarding the incident, referring to it as “Russia’s nuclear terrorism.”
“Thanked [Japan] for the diverse assistance to [Ukraine] & the sanctions pressure on RF [Russian Federation]. Together we oppose the aggressor,” he added.
Continued dialogue with 🇯🇵 PM @kishida230. Informed about Russia's nuclear terrorism at the Zaporizhzhia #NPP. We both agree on the gravity of threats to global security. Thanked 🇯🇵 for the diverse assistance to 🇺🇦 & the sanctions pressure on RF. Together we oppose the aggressor
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 4, 2022
No elevated radiation readings have been reported at the site.
“We have seen no elevated radiation readings near the facility,” U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm wrote overnight.
“The plant’s reactors are protected by robust containment structures and reactors are being safely shut down,” she added.
The plant’s reactors are protected by robust containment structures and reactors are being safely shut down. 3/3
— Secretary Jennifer Granholm (@SecGranholm) March 4, 2022
The attack on the nuclear plant, the largest in Europe and ninth-largest worldwide, reminded many of the 1986 Chernobyl accident that took place in Ukraine, considered the world’s worst nuclear plant incident.
The U.N. took swift action early Friday in response to Russia’s actions against Ukraine.
“The Human Rights Council has decided to urgently establish an independent international commission of inquiry as a result of #Russia‘s aggression against #Ukraine,” the U.N. Human Rights Council tweeted.
🔴 BREAKING
The Human Rights Council has decided to urgently establish an independent international commission of inquiry as a result of #Russia's aggression against #Ukraine.
✅ YES: 32
❌ NO: 2
➖ ABSTENTIONS: 13 pic.twitter.com/cJGjHtwXcR— UN Human Rights Council 📍 #HRC49 (@UN_HRC) March 4, 2022
The International Atomic Energy Agency also released a statement concerning the incident.
“[S]afety systems of the plant’s six reactors had not been affected and there has been no release of radioactive material. Two people reported injured,” the statement noted.
#Ukraine informed IAEA that Russian forces took control of site of #Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant; says safety systems of the plant’s six reactors had not been affected and there has been no release of radioactive material. Two people reported injured. https://t.co/XGl7nFUa9j
— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg) March 4, 2022
President Joe Biden released a statement after speaking with Zelensky overnight.
“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine this evening to receive an update on the fire at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. President Biden joined President Zelenskyy in urging Russia to cease its military activities in the area and allow firefighters and emergency responders to access the site,” a statement from the White House said.
“President Biden also spoke this evening with Under Secretary for Nuclear Security of the U.S. Department of Energy and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Jill Hruby to receive an update on the situation at the plant. The President will continue to be briefed regularly,” it added.