Fears grow over fighting near nuclear plant in Ukraine conflict

Russian rockets and artillery strikes hit areas across a river from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, officials said Sunday, heightening fears of radiation leaks and possible catastrophe.

Zaporizhzhia, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, was captured by Moscow soon after the war began six months ago. Russia also holds adjacent territory along the left bank of the wide Dnieper River, while Ukraine maintains control of the right bank, including two cities, Nikopol and Marhanets, which are each about six miles from the plant.

Periodic blasts have damaged the power station’s infrastructure, according to Ukraine’s nuclear power operator.

“There are risks of hydrogen leakage and sputtering of radioactive substances, and the fire hazard is high,” Energoatom said Saturday.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba claimed the entire continent is at risk over Russia turning the plant into a military base.

“For decades, nuclear safety has remained Ukraine’s top priority, especially given our tragic past. Russian invaders turned Zaporizhzhya NPP into a military base putting the entire continent at risk,” he said on Twitter. “Russian military must get out of the plant — they have nothing to do there!”

Residents who live near the plant began receiving iodine tablets last week in case they are exposed to dangerous radiation.

If the plant’s cooling system for the nuclear reactors fail, it could lead to a nuclear meltdown. The plant was briefly knocked offline Thursday due to fire damage to a transmission line, officials said.

The US State Department said Sunday that Moscow refused to acknowledge the risk at the plant and blocked a nuclear non-proliferation draft agreement because that risk was mentioned.

While Russia occupies the plant complex, Ukraine workers have continued to run it. Both countries have pointed the finger at each other for sustained attacks near the complex.

Igor Konashenkov, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson, said Sunday that Ukraine shelled the plant twice over the last day, with some of the shells falling near buildings that store reactor fuel and radioactive waste.

Meanwhile, fighting in the area overnight led to parts of the Ukrainian city of Nikopol without electricity, said Valentyn Reznichenko, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Rockets also damaged roughly a dozen homes in Marhanets, said Yevhen Yevtushenko, the administration head for the district that includes the city.

About 25 miles upriver from the nuclear plant, the city of Zaporizhzhia also faced fire during the night, leaving two people injured, according to Anatoliy Kurten, a city council member.

Downriver from the plant, the Kakhovka hydroelectric plant and nearby city were struck by Ukrainian rockets three times Sunday, according to Vladimir Leontyev, a Russia-installed local administration head.

The plant’s dam is a crucial roadway across the river and possibly a key supply route for Russian forces.

Shelling hit the cities of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk in eastern Ukraine as Russian and separatist forces are trying to take over that area. No casualties were reported, said Pavlo Kyrylenko, governor of the Donetsk region.

One Slovyansk resident told the Associated Press as he was falling asleep, an explosion blew out his apartment windows.  

“I opened my eyes and saw how the window frame was flying over me, the frame and pieces of broken glass,” said Konstiantyn Daineko.

Much of the Donetsk region is held by Russian and separatist forces. It is one of two regions in Ukraine that Russia sees as sovereign states.

With Post wires