Update: Ukrainians have put out the fire at Europe's largest nuclear power plant after it was shelled by Russian troops, Reuters reports. Initial reports conflicted on whether there were one or two fires, reports the AP. A plant spokesman told Ukrainian TV overnight that a reactor not in use was on fire, but later reports mentioned only a fire at an administrative building. An official says there is no indication of elevated radiation levels, and the reactors are being safely shut down, NBC News reports. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he will request an emergency UN Security Council meeting on the issue. Our original story from Thursday follows:
Russian troops are shelling Europe's largest nuclear power station in Ukraine. "We demand that they stop the heavy weapons fire," Andriy Tuz, spokesperson for the plant in Enerhodar, said in a video posted on Telegram. "There is a real threat of nuclear danger in the biggest atomic energy station in Europe." The plant accounts for about one-fourth of Ukraine's power generation, the AP reports. Tuz told Ukrainian television early Friday that shells were falling directly on the Zaporizhzhia plant and had set fire to one of its six reactors. That reactor is under renovation and not operating, but there is nuclear fuel inside, he said.
Ukraine's foreign minister pleaded with the Russians to halt their attack, per the Guardian. About 2:30am, Dmytro Kuleba tweeted: "Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broke out. Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone!" Ukrainian firefighters cannot get near the blaze because they are under fire, Tuz said. Just the day before, the UN atomic watchdog agency expressed grave concern that the fighting could cause accidental damage to Ukraine's 15 nuclear reactors.
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A live-streamed security camera linked from the homepage of the plant showed what appeared to be armored vehicles rolling into the parking lot and shining spotlights on the building where the camera was mounted. There are then what appear to be bright muzzle flashes from vehicles and nearly simultaneous explosions in surrounding buildings. Smoke then rises and drifts across the frame. The mayor of Enerhodar said Ukrainian forces were battling Russian troops on the city's outskirts. Video showed flames and black smoke rising above the city of more than 50,000, with people streaming past wrecked cars. (More Russia-Ukraine war stories.)
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