Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of starting a fire at the dormant Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
Both sides however reported no sign of elevated radiation.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and among the 10 largest in the world.
What The IAEA Said?
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear watchdog said its staff had seen thick, dark smoke coming from the northern part of the vast six-reactor plant in southern Ukraine.
The plant is currently in “cold shutdown”, following multiple blasts.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned, “Such reckless attacks endanger nuclear safety in the plant and increase the risk of a nuclear accident.’’
In addition, Grossi said the IAEA had requested “immediate access” to the tower to assess the damage.
Neither Moscow nor Kyiv gave an immediate response to Grossi’s statement.
The fire comes less than a week after Ukraine’s forces launched their largest incursion into Russian territory since the war started in 2022.
What Rosatom Said?
Alexei Likhachev, head of the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, said that the fire had burned for about three hours.
He further said that the cooling towers suffered “very serious damage” in the fire.
Alexei said, without providing evidence, that it had been caused by two Ukrainian drone strikes.
He added that it was not clear whether the damage was reparable or whether one of the towers might need replacement.
Statement Of Ukraine’s nuclear power company Energoatom
Ukraine’s nuclear power company Energoatom said in a statement that one of the cooling towers and other equipment were damaged.
Russia captured the plant from Ukraine shortly after launching a full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbour in 2022.
Smoke Appears To Billow From Cooling Tower
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of lighting the fire.
Zelesnkiy said that the fire was visible from the Kyiv-held city of Nikopol, overlooking the Russian-held plant.
It started at around 8 p.m. (1700 GMT) on Sunday.
The IAEA said there was no report yet on the impact on nuclear safety.
Accusations And Counter Accusations
Furthermore, Ukraine’s Energoatom said Russian “negligence” or arson could have sparked the fire.
Although Energoatom did not provide any evidence, it said that Russia was using the cooling towers to store military equipment and explosives.
What Did Russian Foreign Ministry Say?
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Kyiv of deliberately trying to destroy the plant and sow “nuclear terror”.
Zelenskiy published grainy video that showed black smoke apparently belching out of a cooling tower and fire burning at the base.
The six dormant reactors rely on external power to keep their nuclear material cool.
Moscow and Kyiv have routinely accused each other of endangering safety around the plant.
(With Inputs From Reuters)
