Update: After initial reports of elevated levels of radiation detected near the plant, the International Atomic Energy Agency reports that the Ukraine regulator has not detected a change in radiation levels.
Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broke out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chornobyl! Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone!
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 4, 2022
A fire erupted at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant early Friday morning after Russian forces shelled the plant.
According to the Associated Press, elevated levels of radiation were detected near the plant.
Ukraine’s foreign minister said if the Zaporizhzhia plant blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chernobyl.
The Associated Press reported:
Russian forces pressed their attack on a crucial energy-producing city by shelling Europe’s largest nuclear plant early Friday, sparking a fire and raising fears that radiation could leak from the damaged power station.
Plant spokesman Andriy Tuz told Ukrainian television that shells were falling directly on the Zaporizhzhia plant in the city of Enerhodar and had set fire to one of the facility’s six reactors. That reactor is under renovation and not operating, but there is nuclear fuel inside, he said.
A government official told The Associated Press that elevated levels of radiation were detected near the plant, which provides about 25% of Ukraine’s power generation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the information has not yet been publicly released.
Video via NY Times
VI analyzed and verified videos from the firefight at Europe's largest power plant in Zaporizhia, Ukraine.
The footage appears to show a line of military vehicles shooting at buildings inside the complex resulting in fires breaking out.
Read more here:https://t.co/RiovjGO00h pic.twitter.com/Ntlo85eElV
— Brenna T. Smith (@brenna__smith) March 4, 2022
According to Fox News, “Explosions and gunfire reported outside Europe’s largest nuclear power plant as Ukraine’s foreign minister issues dire warning.”
WATCH:
’10 TIMES LARGER THAN CHERNOBYL’: Explosions and gunfire reported outside Europe’s largest nuclear power plant as Ukraine’s foreign minister issues dire warning. Fox News' @BenjaminHallFNC reports on @jesseprimetime. https://t.co/KwdG7iz5wd pic.twitter.com/HEhNSR4vwy
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 4, 2022