Fire at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Extinguished, Investigation Ongoing

On the morning of August 11, Serhiy Lysak, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Region Military Administration, has confirmed that the fire at the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has been extinguished. Radiation levels in Nikopol, across the river from the plant, remain normal.

Prior to the fire being extinguished, Yevhen Yevtushenko, the head of the Nikopol Regional Military Administration, stated that the ZNPP was operating normally. He suggested that the Russians may have ignited a large quantity of car tires within the cooling towers.

Yevtushenko directly stated: “According to unofficial information from sources on the opposite bank, the Russians set fire to a large number of car tires in cooling towers. This could be a provocation or an attempt to induce panic among residents on the right bank of the former reservoir. The ZNPP is currently operating as normally as possible under the circumstances of occupation. Please remain calm.”

Later, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, reported that as of 10:30 p.m., there had been no changes in radiation levels near the power plant, and no artificial radionuclides were detected. The minister added that Ukrhydrometeorological Center stations near the plant are operating continuously to monitor radiation levels.

Late evening, on August 10, International atomic energy inspectors observed thick black smoke rising from the northern part of the ZNPP after hearing several loud explosions last night. Plant officials claimed a drone attack targeted one of the cooling towers, but assured the inspectors that the incident did not affect nuclear safety.

“IAEA experts witnessed strong dark smoke coming from ZNPP’s northern area following multiple explosions heard in the evening. Team was told by ZNPP of an alleged drone attack today on one of the cooling towers located at the site. No impact has been reported for nuclear safety, “ IAEA on Twitter (X).

Previously, at around 10 pm (GMT +3), on August 11, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia started a fire on the territory of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Energodar city, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine.