Ukraine, Russia exchange accusations over new strike on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

This April 27, 2022 file photo shows Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the Russian-controlled area of Enerhodar, as seen from Nikopol. ED JONES AFP KYIV MOSCOW Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that he had discussed the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant NPP in southern Ukraine with European Council President Charles Michel.

Ukraine and Russia exchanged accusations on Sunday over a new strike on the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which is one of the largest atomic power complexes in Europe and generates a quarter of Ukraine's total electricity.

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Since March Russian forces have been under control of the plant and has been the scene of military strikes in recent days.

During the talks, Zelensky informed Michel about the situation at the nuclear power plant, and urged the imposition of sanctions on the Russian nuclear industry and nuclear fuel in the wake of the attacks.

Ukraine's state-owned nuclear energy operator Energoatom accused Russian forces of shelling the power plant earlier in the day, saying the latest rocket attacks on Saturday hit the area next to the plant's dry storage facilities, where 174 containers with spent nuclear fuel were stored in the open air.

It is impossible to properly monitor the radiation situation at the site, because three radiation monitoring detectors around the facility were damaged, said Energoatom.

On Sunday, the TASS news agency reported that the administration of Energodar city, which is home to the nuclear power plant, blamed the Ukrainian army for the overnight attacks.

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The Ukrainian troops launched a strike against the plant on Saturday night using the 220 mm Uragan multiple launch rocket system. The storage facility for spent nuclear fuel was in the affected area. It added that the submunitions and the rocket engine fell within 400 meters of the operating power unit.