Russia's nuclear blackmail at Zaporizhzhia raises global alarm
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, the Russian occupier has controlled Europe's largest nuclear power plant - the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. And the Russian presence continues to pose a fundamental threat to the radiation safety of our country, all of Europe, and the world," Zelensky emphasised on Telegram.
He added that "for decades Ukraine has guaranteed the highest level of safety at its nuclear facilities and this will continue, but for this to happen, the criminal presence of Russia at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant must end."
Drone attack on the power plant. Troubling message
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.
