Kiev s forces have caused another fire at Europe's largest nuclear power plant, Russia s Defense Ministry claims.
Ukrainian troops have committed a new act of nuclear terrorism by continuing to shell the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, the Russian Defense Ministry warned on Monday.
The largest nuclear plant in southern Ukraine was seized by Russian forces in late February when Moscow launched its military operation in the neighboring state. The Ukrainian personnel are under Russian control, and the facility continues to operate under Russian control.
In a daily briefing, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov said that Ukraine's 44th Artillery Brigade fired from the village of Marganets on the opposite side of the large Kakhovka water reservoir.
The shelling damaged a high-voltage power line, causing a short circuit at the plant, Konashenkov said. He said that a fire broke out at the facility, which was then put out.
The Russian Defense Ministry said it was the second time that Ukrainian shelling had caused a fire and partial power outage at the plant since Friday. Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, told reporters that the attacks on the nuclear facility could have catastrophic consequences for a huge territory, including the territory of Europe. The Ukrainian leadership hopes that countries with absolute influence will use this influence to rule out such shelling, Peskov said.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky accused Russia of shelling the Zaporozhye plant on Friday. Russian nuclear terror requires a stronger response from the international community, he warned about a potential nuclear disaster.
Ukraine and the US previously accused Russian soldiers of using the plant as cover in the fight against Ukrainian troops. Russia has rejected these claims.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the suicidal attacks on the plant and expressed hope that international inspectors will be able to access the facility soon.