Kiev s forces have caused another fire at Europe's largest nuclear power plant, Russia s Defense Ministry says.
Ukrainian troops are continuing to shell the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant after they commit a new act of nuclear terrorism, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.
In late February, the largest nuclear plant in southern Ukraine was seized by Russian forces when Moscow launched its military operation in the neighboring state. The facility is under Russian control with Ukrainian personnel.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov said on Sunday 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.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, it was the second time Ukrainian shelling caused a fire and partial power outage at the plant since Friday. The attack on the nuclear facility could have catastrophic consequences for a huge territory, including the territory of Europe, according to a Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Peskov said that countries that have an absolute influence on the Ukrainian leadership will use this influence to rule out such shelling.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky accused Russia of shelling the Zaporozhye plant on Friday. He warned of a potential nuclear disaster and said that Russian nuclear terror needs a stronger response from the international community.
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.
International inspectors will be able to access the facility soon, according to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who condemned the suicidal attacks on the plant.