No radiation release at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: IAEA

Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, said that there has been no release of radiation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power plant that was targeted by the Russians earlier in the day.

Kyiv (Ukraine): The International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi said that there has been no release of radiation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power plant that was targeted by the Russians earlier in the day which got three Ukrainian troops killed and two wounded. After the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), located in southern Ukraine, reported a fire on its territory, IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was in contact with Ukrainian authorities about the situation. "Ukraine: IAEA is aware of reports of shelling at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), in contact with Ukrainian authorities about situation," tweeted IAEA. Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, appealed for a halt of use of force and warned of severe danger if reactors are hit as it could be disastrous for radiation spread.

"IAEA Director-General @RafaelMGrossi speaks with Ukraine PM Denys Shmygal and with Ukrainian nuclear regulator and operator about the serious situation at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, appeals for halt of use of force and warns of severe danger if reactors hit," tweeted IAEA. Meanwhile, Ukraine said that the fire at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has not affected "essential" equipment.

"Ukraine tells IAEA that fire at the site of #Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has not affected "essential" equipment, plant personnel taking mitigatory actions," tweeted IAEA. Earlier on Friday, before the fire broke out, the IAEA released a statement warning that Russian troops were approaching the area and any fighting near the plant could be disastrous.

Ukraine told the IAEA "a large number of Russian tanks and infantry 'broke through the block post to the town of Enerhodar, a few kilometres from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP)," the IAEA said in a statement. It added that Ukraine's regulatory authority had sent them an "urgent letter," warning that Russian troops were moving directly toward the nuclear plant and the situation was "critical."

Meanwhile, Ukraine regulators told IAEA that there has been no change reported in radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. "#Ukraine regulator tells IAEA there has been no change reported in #radiation levels at the #Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant site," tweeted IAEA.

As per Eastern European media, NEXTA, there was no threat of radiation spread. "According to Andrey Tuz, spokesman of the press service of the nuclear power plant, there is no threat of radiation spread," tweeted NEXTA. Earlier, the mayor of a nearby town said the nuclear plant was on fire amid intense fighting in the area, with firefighters unable to reach the site. Ukraine's foreign minister said Russian troops were "firing from all sides" at the plant.

Josep Borrell Fontelles, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, tweeted on Friday that the Russian attacks in the direct vicinity of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants can have catastrophic consequences and must stop immediately. Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre described the Russian shelling at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power plant as an act of madness. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda described the attacks as nuclear terrorism and called for an immediate international response to Russia's nuclear crimes.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergi Lavrov said on Friday that "There were five consecutive waves of NATO expansion. Moreover, each time the rhetoric, military planning and exercises of this alliance became increasingly directed against the Russian Federation". Targeting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Lavrov further said "President @ZelenskyyUa came to power under the banner of peace, promising to save the lives of both Ukrainians & Russians. At the end of the day, however, he succumbed to the same anti-Russian sentiment as the Poroshenko government before him."

Read:Russian troops shell Europe's Largest Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine calls for ceasefire

(With agency inputs)