Headline Roundup • August 19th, 2022
Military Activity, Fears of Disaster Grow Around Europe's Largest Nuclear Plant
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Ukrainian authorities warned of potential disaster at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant as Russia reportedly rejects calls to demilitarize the area.
Workers at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant say they were told not to come in Friday, fueling fears of a Russian false-flag operation and possible nuclear catastrophe. Shelling near the plant has intensified in recent weeks, and Ukrainian and Russian fighters blame each other for the escalation. Russia seized control of the plant in early March and started using it as a quasi-military base just days after it invaded Ukraine.
Reports across the spectrum highlighted video from inside the plant showing Russian military vehicles stored there, suggesting that Russia is using the plant as a shield. The U.N.'s secretary general visited Ukraine this week and expressed concern over the situation at the plant, saying that "agreement is urgently needed to re-establish Zaporizhzhia's purely civilian infrastructure and to ensure the safety of the area."
Tensions at the plant have been covered by news sources across the political spectrum, especially those on the left and center, which tend to cover the war's day-to-day more closely than right-rated outlets do.
Featured Coverage of this Story
DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images
Ukrainian authorities warned of possible Russian provocations at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant after workers there were reportedly told not to come to work on Friday.
Russian nuclear authorities told employees at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to stay home Friday, a Ukrainian intelligence official told NBC News.
The order has sparked concern that Russian President Vladimir Putin may have plans for a so-called false flag operation, as the war enters its sixth month.
“There is new information, it arrived about half an hour ago, that for tomorrow, August 19, there is...
GETTY IMAGES
Russia has rejected appeals for a complete demilitarisation of the area around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine.
The move would make the plant more vulnerable, a Russian official said.
The calls come amid growing concern over safety at the site - Europe's largest nuclear plant - as both sides accuse each other of shelling the area.
Ukrainian workers operate the plant, which has been under Russian control since March.
It was one of the first sites seized by Russian troops following the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.
...
CNN Digital
New video has emerged online showing Russian military vehicles inside a turbine hall connected to a nuclear reactor at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, where intensified shelling has fueled fears of a nuclear disaster.
CNN has geolocated and confirmed the authenticity of the video, which began circulating on social media Thursday. It's unclear when the video was taken.
The footage shows one of the six turbine rooms located on the western side of the nuclear plant, located in the southeastern city of Enerhodar. Each turbine hall is connected and built into...
