Russia firing on Zaparizhzhia nuclear power plant: Ukrainian FM

ANKARA/KYIV - Russia is firing on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, Anadolu Agency quoted Ukraine’s foreign minister as saying early Friday.

"Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broken out,” said Dmytro Kuleba, adding, "If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chernobyl!”

"Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone!”.

The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said Thursday that Russian tanks had entered a town near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine.

Located in the steppe zone of Ukraine on the bank of the Kakhovka Water Reservoir, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Enerhodar is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and among the top 10 largest in the world.

The power plant has six pressurised light-water nuclear reactors.

Last month, Ukraine said it also lost control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the country’s north after a fierce battle with Russian forces.

Ukraine has 15 operational nuclear reactors at four sites in the country, providing roughly half of its electricity, which the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine said Thursday continues to operate normally. - BERNAMA