Ukraine urges action as Russia raises catastrophic nuclear threats

Russia is blackmailing the world with the threat of a catastrophe at the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on Monday. He added that only the return of the power plant to Ukrainian control would ensure full compliance with all safety standards.

"For more than two years, Russian occupiers have been controlling the largest nuclear power plant in Europe—the Zaporizhzhia NPP. And invariably, the Russian presence poses a fundamental threat to the radiation safety of our country, all of Europe, and the world," Zelensky emphasized on Telegram.

Russia is blackmailing the world with the threat of a catastrophe at the ZNPP [Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.] It is using the plant’s territory as a launching ground for attacks on Nikopol and other nearby communities, and it is storing military equipment and ammunition on the territory of the ZNPP. Only the return of the plant to Ukrainian control will ensure full compliance with all safety standards and normalize the situation around the ZNPP, emphasized the president.

He added "For decades, Ukraine has maintained the highest level of safety at its nuclear facilities and will continue to do so. However, this requires an end to Russia’s criminal presence at the ZNPP."

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, assessed over the weekend that the safety situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has worsened due to a drone attack, which on Saturday hit the road around the plant area. He appealed to Russia and Ukraine for "maximum restraint."

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, has been occupied by Russia since the beginning of March 2022. Since then, Russian forces have repeatedly shelled the plant's grounds, thus creating - in the opinion of the authorities in Kyiv - a radiation threat with unpredictable consequences.