Another Shelling Near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant... Ukrainian Nuclear Operator Warns of "Radioactive Material Leakage Risk"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] The operator of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine announced on the 27th (local time) that there is a risk of radioactive material leakage around the plant.

According to AFP, the Ukrainian state-owned company Energoatom stated, "Russian forces repeatedly shelled the nuclear power plant site throughout the day."

Energoatom said, "Due to periodic shelling, the nuclear power plant's infrastructure has been damaged, posing risks of hydrogen leakage and radioactive material emission," adding, "There is also a high risk of fire."

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, suffered repeated shelling on the 5th-6th and again on the 11th of this month, damaging some power supply lines and communication lines. On the 20th-21st, shells were dropped, damaging chemical facilities and other infrastructure within the plant.

On the 25th, a fire in a nearby hill damaged the last of four transmission lines connecting the plant to the outside, temporarily isolating the plant from the Ukrainian power grid and causing power outages in the surrounding area.

Ukraine and Russia are blaming each other for the shelling that caused these incidents.

Russia denied the claims, stating that radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia plant remain normal and asserted that Ukrainian forces continued shelling.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said, "Radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant are normal, and these levels have been checked by regular technical personnel."

It also stated that Ukrainian forces shelled the plant complex three times over a 24-hour period from the previous day to today.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has six reactors and is the largest in Europe, was seized by Russian forces in March immediately after the invasion. However, operations are still managed by Energoatom technicians.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.