Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russian forces have caused a fire at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), a facility under Russian control since the early stages of the war.
Zelensky, addressing the nation via his official Telegram channel, underscored the dangers posed by the ongoing Russian occupation of the plant, calling for an international response to the incident.
According to Zelensky, the fire was observed from the city of Nikopol, across the Dnipro River from the ZNPP. He stressed that, although radiation levels remain within normal limits, the situation is far from stable. Zelensky reiterated that as long as Russian forces maintain control over the nuclear facility, the risks to Ukraine, Europe, and the broader international community remain significant.
“Enerhodar. We have observed from Nikopol that Russian occupiers have started a fire at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Currently, radiation levels are normal, but the situation cannot be considered safe as long as Russian terrorists continue to control the nuclear station,” Zelensky said. “Since the first day of their seizure of the ZNPP, Russia has used it solely as a tool of blackmail against Ukraine, Europe, and the world. We await the world’s reaction, we await the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) reaction. Russia must be held accountable. Only Ukrainian control over the Zaporizhzhia plant can guarantee a return to normality and full security.”
This development follows earlier reports from Yevhen Yevtushenko, the head of the Nikopol District Military Administration, who provided additional details about the situation. Yevtushenko suggested that the fire might have been caused deliberately by Russian forces, who allegedly set fire to a large number of car tyres in the cooling towers of the plant. He hinted that this act could be a provocation or an attempt to create panic among residents on the right bank of the former reservoir.
“According to unofficial information received from sources on the opposite bank, the Russians set fire to a large quantity of car tyres in the cooling towers. This could be a provocation or an attempt to cause panic in the towns and villages on the right bank of the former reservoir,” Yevtushenko stated. He also sought to reassure the public, noting that the ZNPP was continuing to operate in a normal mode, as far as possible under occupation conditions. “For now, the ZNPP is operating normally, given the circumstances of the occupation. Please remain calm,” he added.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, one of the largest in Europe, has been under Russian control since March 2022. The plant’s seizure has been a source of ongoing international concern, with numerous calls for its demilitarisation and the establishment of a safe zone around the facility. The presence of Russian military forces and equipment at the site has raised fears of potential nuclear incidents, either through accidental damage or deliberate actions by the occupying forces.
The IAEA has previously expressed grave concerns about the safety of the ZNPP under Russian control. The agency has conducted several inspections and monitoring missions to assess the condition of the plant and to ensure that it continues to operate safely. However, the ongoing conflict and the lack of Ukrainian oversight have complicated these efforts.
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