Russia and Ukraine each blamed the other for igniting a blaze at the inactive Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine on Sunday, although neither side reported any signs of increased radiation. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that its personnel observed dense, dark smoke emanating from the northern section of the expansive six-reactor facility in southern Ukraine, which is currently in a "cold shutdown" state following several explosions.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi cautioned in an independent statement, without assigning blame, "These reckless attacks jeopardize nuclear safety at the plant and heighten the risk of a nuclear incident. They must cease immediately." This incident occurred just days after Ukraine's forces initiated their most significant incursion into Russian territory since the conflict began in 2022. Interfax news agency cited Alexei Likhachev, the head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, stating that the fire raged for approximately three hours and inflicted "very serious damage" to the cooling towers. Likhachev alleged, without presenting evidence, that the fire was the result of two Ukrainian drone strikes. It remains uncertain whether the damage is repairable or if one of the towers might need replacement.
Ukraine's nuclear power entity, Energoatom, confirmed in a statement that one of the cooling towers and additional equipment were damaged. Grossi mentioned that the IAEA has sought "immediate access" to the tower to evaluate the damage. There has been no immediate reaction from Moscow or Kyiv to Grossi's statement. Russia seized the plant from Ukraine shortly after commencing a full-scale invasion in 2022, which it terms a "special military operation." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of setting the fire, visible from the Kyiv-controlled city of Nikopol, which overlooks the Russian-held plant. The fire began around 8pm (1700 GMT) on Sunday. The IAEA reported no impact on nuclear safety.
The IAEA team was informed by the nuclear plant of an alleged drone attack on one of the cooling towers. Ukraine's Energoatom suggested that Russian "negligence" or arson might have caused the fire. Without providing evidence, it also alleged that Russia used the cooling towers to store military equipment and explosives. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Kyiv of intentionally attempting to destroy the plant and spread "nuclear terror." Zelenskiy released grainy video footage showing black smoke apparently spewing from a cooling tower with a fire at its base.
"Currently, the radiation indicators are normal. However, as long as Russian terrorists maintain control over the nuclear plant, the situation is not and cannot be normal," Zelenskiy stated. The six inactive reactors, situated near the front lines of the conflict, depend on external power to cool their nuclear material and prevent a catastrophic accident. Both Moscow and Kyiv frequently accuse each other of compromising safety around the plant.
