Fire at Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant: Ukraine and Russia Blame Each Other

 Kiev and Moscow have accused each other of igniting a fire at a cooling tower of Ukraine's Zaporizhia nuclear power plant that occurred yesterday, Sunday. The Russian army seized control of the plant just a day after the conflict between the two countries began in 2022.

Both Ukraine and Russia, along with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), have reported that the fire did not result in any increase in radioactivity at the plant or pose any threat to nuclear safety.

Vladimir Rogov, a Moscow-based official at the plant, stated via Telegram on Monday that the fire at the cooling tower is now fully under control.

He and Yevgeny Balitsky, the Moscow-appointed governor of the Zaporizhia region, have accused the Ukrainian military of starting the fire.

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on social media that the fire was initiated by Russian occupiers, who are attempting to blackmail Ukraine by shifting the blame. He assured that the current level of radioactivity at the power plant remains normal, a statement also confirmed by the plant's press service.

IAEA experts stationed at the plant have reported that there has been no negative impact on nuclear safety.

In a post on social media X (formerly Twitter), the IAEA reported that its experts observed thick black smoke rising from the north side of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant and heard several explosions in the evening. They were informed by the plant that a cooling tower might have been targeted by a drone.

President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that Russia must be held accountable for the incident, emphasizing that only under Ukrainian control can normal conditions and full safety at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant be ensured.

According to the plant's press service, all six reactors have been shut down following the fire. Governor Yevgeny Balitsky stated that there is no risk of explosion or further danger.

Located in the city of Enerhodar in southeastern Ukraine, the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant is the largest in Europe and supplies a quarter of Ukraine's electricity.