Ukraine blasted the Kremlin as a “nuclear terror” Sunday after accusing Russia of shelling an atomic power plant its own forces occupy.
Russian forces damaged three radiation sensors at the Zaporizhzhia site, the largest nuclear-power plant in Europe, over the weekend, Kyiv officials said.
“Russian nuclear terror requires a stronger response from the international community — sanctions on the Russian nuclear industry and nuclear fuel,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted.
Plant operator Energoatom said the radiation monitors were located around the storage facility for spent nuclear fuels, and that one worker was injured in the shelling. Russian soldiers, who have occupied the power station for months, took shelter in bunkers before the Saturday attack, according to Energoatom.
Moscow claimed innocence, however, saying it was Ukrainian forces that hit the plant, which currently sits in Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine’s south.
Kyiv officials claim Russian forces have bombed three radiation sensors at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko/File
Russian forces captured the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant early during its invasion of Ukraine last spring. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko/File
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is Europe’s largest atomic power complex. ED JONES/AFP via Getty ImagesUkrainian technicians are still running the plant, although Russia seized control of it in March.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said that no matter who is responsible, the weekend shelling could bring about grave consequences.
“I’m extremely concerned by the shelling yesterday at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, which underlines the very real risk of a nuclear disaster,” its directors general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said Saturday.
Ukrainian technicians are still operating the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia plant. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko
International Atomic Energy Agency issued a warning against Russia’s bombing of the Zaporizhzhia plant. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky demands international sanctions “on the Russian nuclear industry.” ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images“There are contradictions between the accounts of the Russian and Ukrainian sides,” Grossi said. “I receive information . . . but I have no way of determining whether it corresponds to the facts.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russian’s actions represent the “height of irresponsibility.” He added that the Kremlin wants to use the plant as a “nuclear shield.”
Also Sunday, six more ships carrying corn, sunflower oil and soya left Ukraine’s Black Sea coast.
Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations signed agreements last month to allow the shipments to travel safely out of ports that Moscow’s forces had blockaded.
The deal is in effect for four months and intends to get some 20 million tons of grain to Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia.
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