One of the reactors of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, under the control of Russian forces, has been stopped, the Ukrainian atomic energy company announced on Saturday, after attacks of which Kyiv and Moscow accuse each other.
“Following the attack on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the emergency protection system was activated in one of the three operating reactors, which was shut down,” Energoatom announced in a message on Telegram.
According to this source, the bombardments “severely damaged” a nitrogen and oxygen station and an “auxiliary building”. “There are still risks of leakage of hydrogen and radioactive substances, and the risk of fire is also high,” he said.
“The shelling (…) has caused a serious risk to the safe operation of the plant,” continued Energoatom, indicating however that it continues to produce electricity and that Ukrainian personnel continue to work there.
Center back targeted for 3 strikes according to Kyiv
Ukrainian authorities on Friday accused Russian forces of carrying out three attacks near a reactor at the Zaporizhia power plant in the south, although Moscow has controlled this territory since the beginning of the invasion.
The Russian army for its part claimed that the Ukrainian forces were at the origin of these attacks, which caused a fire that was extinguished.
On July 21, Russia had already accused the Ukrainian forces of having attacked the territory of this nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, with a drone.
Kyiv also ensures that Moscow stores heavy weapons and ammunition in the territory of the central, which has been occupied since March by Russian forces.
Source: BFM TV
