At the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on the night of March 4, military forces of the Russian Federation shelled the Zaporizhzhia NPP site, causing a fire in the area. A missile hit the first power reactor. The fire at the site was liquidated by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU)
Because of the threat of nuclear danger, it is demanded that the Russian troops stop firing from heavy weapons at the nuclear power plant units in Enerhodar, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
Currently, the territory of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is occupied by Russian troops, they control the administrative buildings and the passage to the station. Also on February 24, the Russian military occupied the Chornobyl nuclear power plant.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk appealed to the world community to help to prevent a nuclear catastrophe, which is threatening all mankind from now.
As early on March 3, 2022, Ukraine informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that a great number of Russian tanks and infantry “broke through a roadblock” into the city of Enerhodar, located several kilometers from the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant (NPP), said Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. It was also noted that Russian motorized rifle troops were heading directly to the area of Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant, emphasizing that the situation is “critical”.
Director General Grossi called for an immediate stop to the use of force at Enerhodar and also appealed to the armed forces operating there to refrain from violence near the nuclear power plant. He said that the IAEA continues to consult with Ukraine and others to provide the best possible assistance to Ukraine in its efforts to maintain nuclear and physical nuclear safety during the current difficult conditions.
Today, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) decided to launch a 24/7 Incident and Emergency Centre because of a fire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant caused by the attacks of Russian invaders.
The IAEA, widely known as the international organization of the United Nations operating under the slogan “Atoms for Peace and Development,” acts as an international centre for cooperation in the nuclear industry. Together with its member states and numerous partners around the world, the Agency works to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology.
