Russia Captures Europe's Biggest Nuclear Plant
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Russian troops reportedly took control of Europe's largest nuclear energy plant Friday in southeastern Ukraine, sparking concern across the world and the U.S. political spectrum.
A fire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant reportedly caused by Russian shelling was extinguished by Ukrainian firefighters early Friday, according to Ukraine's nuclear regulator. Russian authorities claimed that Ukrainians had attacked the plant. Staff at the plant are reportedly working at gunpoint, but government officials remained in contact with plant management. Officials from Ukraine's nuclear power operator say the plant's nuclear reactors are now safe, but that more attacks could lead to major disaster. Representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, reportedly plan to travel to Ukraine to negotiate the safe operation of all Ukrainian power plants with Russian forces. There are five nuclear power plants in Ukraine, including the now-closed Chernobyl, which is also under Russian control.
The news was the top story from outlets across the political spectrum Friday, with many speculating about the consequences of a nuclear disaster and the potential for Russia to use the plant as leverage in future peace negotiations. Some reports highlighted experts who said an explosion at the plant would have caused much more damage than the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, which remains the worst nuclear plant catastrophe in history.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Ukrainian nuclear power plant fire extinguished as Russian troops 'occupy' facility
Russian troops have occupied Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant, where a fire that had threatened potential disaster was extinguished in the early hours of Friday morning, according to Ukraine's nuclear regulator.
In a statement Friday morning local time, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate (SNRI) confirmed the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine was occupied by Russian military forces, but said officials remained in contact with plant management.
The power plant's six reactors remain intact, though the compartment auxiliary buildings for reactor unit 1 had been damaged, the SNRI said in its...
From the Center
Nuclear plant: How dangerous was the attack and what is the risk in Ukraine?
Buildings at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine - the largest in Europe - have been damaged after it was hit by shelling.
The attack has prompted world leaders to accuse Russia of acting recklessly. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it could "directly threaten the safety of all of Europe".
What happened to the power plant?
Russia attacked Zaporizhzhia with shelling, and later took control of the plant.
Buildings around one of its six power units have been damaged, according to Ukraine's nuclear inspectorate.
The UN's nuclear watchdog,...
From the Right
Russian troops aiming to 'mine' nuclear plant to 'blackmail the whole of Europe:' Zaporizhzhia employees
Staff at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Enerhodar sent a message to Ukrainian media and government authorities warning that the Russian troops that took the plant are trying to lay down explosives in order to "blackmail the whole of Europe."
"They will be trying to mine the nuclear power plant and blackmail the whole of Europe," Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) employees wrote in the message early Friday morning as Russian troops attacked the plant, setting it on fire. Misha Gannytskyi, director general of the Ukrainian Independent Information Agency of...
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