Global powers have sounded the alarm following the latest drone attack on a Russian-controlled nuclear facility, which struck the reactor's confinement structure.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, has warned that Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is perilously close to a potential accident due to recent drone assaults. These attacks, occurring since April 7, have targeted Europe's largest nuclear power facility.
The most recent strike, which occurred on Sunday, is particularly concerning as it struck the reactor confinement structure, setting "a very dangerous precedent," according to Grossi. The IAEA has personnel stationed at the facility.
Blame for the attacks has been exchanged between Moscow and Kyiv, with Russia occupying the site shortly after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In response to the escalating threat, the UN Security Council (UNSC) convened to address concerns of a nuclear catastrophe. Grossi urged an end to "reckless attacks" on the plant, emphasizing the heightened risk they pose to nuclear safety.
The United States deputy ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, criticized Russia's disregard for the risks, highlighting its continued control of the plant despite the dangers. Conversely, Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, accused Ukraine of intensifying attacks on the facility in recent months.
Ukraine's ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, labeled the attacks as a "well-planned false flag operation" orchestrated by Russia to divert attention from its invasion of Ukraine.
China's deputy ambassador to the UN, Geng Shuang, called for all parties to prioritize nuclear safety and prevent any potential accidents at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
The significance of the Zaporizhzhia plant lies in its status as the largest in Europe and one of the world's top ten, providing half of Ukraine's nuclear-generated power before the conflict. Experts warn that a radiation leak or explosion could contaminate the entire European continent.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of leveraging the Zaporizhzhia plant for "nuclear terror," highlighting its central role in the ongoing conflict.
The plant has been a focal point in the war since the early days of Russia's invasion, with the city and region of Zaporizhzhia witnessing active fighting. Following its military seizure, the plant has been heavily guarded and subject to ongoing tensions between the warring parties. Accusations of sabotage and information warfare persist between Kyiv and Moscow regarding the facility's safety and security.
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