Moscow/Kyiv: Russia and Ukraine traded accusations on Sunday over the cause of a fire at the dormant Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is currently under Russian control in Ukraine. Despite the incident, both nations reported no signs of elevated radiation levels.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that its personnel observed thick, dark smoke emanating from the northern part of the six-reactor facility in southern Ukraine, which is currently in a “cold shutdown” state following multiple explosions.
“These reckless attacks endanger nuclear safety at the plant and increase the risk of a nuclear accident. They must stop now,” warned IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in a separate statement, although he did not assign blame to either side.
The fire occurred less than a week after Ukrainian forces conducted their largest incursion into Russian territory since the conflict began in 2022.
According to the Interfax news agency, Alexei Likhachev, head of the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, stated that the fire burned for approximately three hours, causing “very serious damage” to the cooling towers. He claimed, without providing evidence, that the fire was caused by two Ukrainian drone strikes. Likhachev added that it was unclear whether the damage could be repaired or if one of the towers might need replacement.
Ukraine’s nuclear power company Energoatom confirmed in a statement that one of the cooling towers, along with other equipment, sustained damage.
Grossi announced that the IAEA had requested “immediate access” to the damaged tower to assess the extent of the harm. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv immediately responded to Grossi’s request.
The Zaporizhzhia plant has been under Russian control since shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which it describes as a “special military operation”.
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Smoke Rises from Cooling Tower Amidst Accusations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of igniting the fire, which he noted was visible from the Kyiv-controlled city of Nikopol, overlooking the Russian-occupied plant. He reported that the fire started around 8 p.m. (1700 GMT) on Sunday.
The IAEA stated that there had been no reported impact on nuclear safety.
“Team was told by [the nuclear plant] of an alleged drone attack today on one of the cooling towers located at the site,” the agency posted on X.
Energoatom, Ukraine’s nuclear power company, suggested that Russian “negligence” or arson could have sparked the fire. Without presenting evidence, the company also claimed that Russia used the cooling towers to store military equipment and explosives.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Kyiv of deliberately attempting to destroy the plant and incite “nuclear terror.”
Zelenskiy shared a grainy video showing black smoke apparently rising from a cooling tower, with flames visible at its base.
“Currently, the radiation indicators are normal. But as long as Russian terrorists retain control over the nuclear plant, the situation is not and cannot be normal,” Zelenskiy said.
The six reactors, which remain dormant, are located near the front lines of the conflict and rely on external power to keep their nuclear material cool and prevent a catastrophic accident.
Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused each other of compromising safety around the plant.
