Russia Claims Fire at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant in Ukraine is “Completely Extinguished”

On Sunday, a fire broke out on the cooling tower of a power plant, with Moscow and Kiev blaming each other for the incident. The real responsibility for the fire remains unclear.

Fire at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Successfully Extinguished

In the midst of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, a beacon of hope emerges amidst the tension. According to the Russian-appointed administration in Zaporizhzhia, the fire that broke out at the nuclear plant on Sunday evening has been “completely extinguished.”

Mutual Accusations

The appointed director, Vladimir Rogov, blamed the fire on an attack by Ukrainian forces on the plant’s cooling tower.

Conversely, Kiev has accused Russia of causing the incident. It is important to note that the “radiological environment” around the plant remains normal, as stated by Evguéni Balitsky, the region’s governor installed by Russian authorities.

Nuclear Plant in a Precarious Situation

Since the Russian occupation began in March 2022, the Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, has been in a highly precarious state. It has been targeted by gunfire and experienced multiple power outages.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly called for caution to prevent a “major nuclear accident.”

Reassuring Nuclear Safety

Despite the incident, the IAEA, which has a team on-site, confirms there is no impact on nuclear safety. All six reactors at the plant are currently shut down. The IAEA is awaiting “immediate access” to the affected area “to assess the damage” and “determine the possible cause of this event.”