Bombardment of ‘Europe’s largest’ Zaporiza nuclear power plant reoccurs ahead of UN Security Council meeting

A Russian soldier stands guard near a nuclear power plant in Ukraine’s Zaporiza region on May 1 (local time). AP Yonhap News

On the 11th (local time), another bombardment broke out at the Zaporiza nuclear power plant in Ukraine, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. The bombardment recurred on the same day that the UN Security Council (Security Council) was to hold a meeting to discuss the safety issue of the Japoriza nuclear power plant.

According to foreign media such as Archyde.com, an official of the Zaporiza provincial administration appointed by Russia on the same day said, “Ukrainian forces have once more attacked the Zaporiza nuclear power plant and the area around the nuclear facility.” Meanwhile, Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear power company Energoatom claimed that Russian forces attacked the Zaporiza nuclear power plant. Energoatom said via Telegram that five attacks were carried out around the nuclear power plant, but control of the plant was maintained and there were no injuries. The Guardian said both sides’ claims have not been independently verified.

This happened on the day the UN Security Council decided to hold an emergency meeting in New York to discuss the issue of the Zaporiza nuclear power plant. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Secretary-General Rafael Grossi was also scheduled to explain the situation at the Japorija nuclear power plant to the 15 members of the Security Council.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Ukraine and Russia to immediately halt military activities around the nuclear power plant. “The Japoriza nuclear power plant should not be used as part of a military operation,” he said in a statement, warning that “potential damage to any nuclear facility, including the Japorijah nuclear power plant, might be catastrophic not only in the immediate vicinity but also in a much wider area.” .

The Zaporiza nuclear power plant complex, which has six reactors, is the largest single facility in Europe. It was occupied by Russian forces in early March, shortly following Russia invaded Ukraine. At that time, concerns regarding a nuclear disaster were raised as a fire broke out in the buildings around the Zaporiza nuclear power plant due to the Russian bombardment. On the 5th and 6th, shelling occurred here for two days in a row, raising concerns in the international community once more.

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