Moscow and Kyiv Accuse Each Other of Starting Fire at Russian-Occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of starting a fire at the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, currently occupied by Russia in Ukraine. Both sides reported no signs of increased radiation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Telegram on August 12 that Russian forces had ignited a fire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, which is under Russian control. He described this act as an attempt to extort Ukraine and the world, calling for a response from the international community and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Zelensky released a video showing thick black smoke appearing to come from a cooling tower with a fire burning at its base. He noted, "Currently, radiation levels are normal. However, as long as Russian terrorists control the nuclear power plant, the situation is not normal and cannot be." Zelensky accused Russia of using the nuclear plant for "extortion against Ukraine, Europe, and the world." He said, "We are waiting for the world's response, waiting for the IAEA's response. Russia must be held accountable for this action." Yevhen Yevtushenko, head of the Ukrainian military administration controlling the Nikopol area overlooking the plant, stated that unofficial information indicated that Russian forces had set numerous car tires on fire in the cooling towers. He described this action as "a provocation or an attempt to create panic" and assured that the plant was operating as normally as possible under occupation. In contrast, Russia accused Ukraine of starting the fire at the plant. Yevgeny Balitsky, a Russian-appointed official controlling the occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia, claimed that the fire occurred "as a result of shelling by the Ukrainian armed forces." Balitsky also stated that there was no radioactive threat to the plant or the nearby Enerhodar city. Vladimir Rogov, a member of the Russian-appointed administration in Zaporizhzhia, claimed that Kyiv forces launched an attack drone from Ukrainian territory towards the nuclear power plant, describing the attack as "a targeted and deliberate strike." Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, accused Ukraine of "nuclear terrorism" and called for a response from the IAEA. Eugenia Yashina, the communications director appointed by Russia at the nuclear plant, told state media TASS that no human casualties were reported after the attack. However, she stated that the plant had "sustained serious damage for the first time." TASS reported that "inactive cooling tower number 1 was damaged, and following the Ukrainian drone attack, plastic steam traps caught fire." The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed this information, stating that the fire "did not affect the operation of the plant in any way" and that ministry personnel were working to extinguish it. The IAEA, which has experts present at the six-reactor facility, reported that its experts observed thick, dark smoke rising from the northern area of the plant in southern Ukraine following several explosions. Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, separately warned that "these reckless attacks jeopardize the nuclear safety of the plant and increase the risk of a nuclear accident. These attacks must cease immediately," issuing this statement without attributing the attacks to either side. The fire occurred less than a week after Ukrainian forces launched their largest attack on Russian territory since the war began in 2022, a surprising move that marked a new phase in the conflict following weeks of military advances by Moscow. Russian state news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti reported, citing the country's nuclear energy company Rosatom, that the main fire was extinguished shortly before midnight on Sunday. The six reactors at the plant, located near the frontline of the war in Ukraine, are not operational, but the facility relies on external electricity to keep its nuclear materials cool and prevent a catastrophic incident. Moscow and Kyiv have continuously accused each other of endangering safety around this facility. Russia seized the plant shortly after launching a large-scale invasion of its smaller neighbor in 2022, an attack that Moscow has described as a "special operation." The six reactors at the plant are in cold shutdown.