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Ukraine Reports Smoke Near Russian-Held Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Facility
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Smoke has been detected in the area of the cargo port at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine reported on August 12.
The ministry said the exact location of the fire and its potential consequences are still being assessed. It emphasized that the cargo port is located outside the plant’s secured perimeter.
“This incident once again draws attention to the threats posed by the Russian occupation of Europe’s largest nuclear facility. The continued deployment of Russian military equipment and personnel on the plant’s territory, as well as the ongoing psychological pressure on Ukrainian staff, constitute a gross violation of international law and the fundamental principles of nuclear safety,” the statement reads.
According to updated information, there is now a fire hazard near the plant’s reactor units, reportedly caused by burning dry reeds in the area of the Kakhovka Reservoir, which was destroyed by Russian forces.
The situation remains tense due to the mismanagement of the facility by the Russian-installed leadership, which continues to violate nuclear, radiation, and fire safety requirements.
The Ministry of Energy noted that repeated fires at the occupied plant have become systemic. On August 11, 2024, cooling tower No. 1 of the plant’s technical water supply system was completely destroyed by fire.
According to the ministry, “any provocations or military actions on the industrial site of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant could lead to unpredictable and catastrophic consequences for the entire continent.”
Previously, Ukraine condemned Russia’s use of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as a military shield, following a recent incident confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). On August 6, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reported that Russian artillery fired multiple salvos near the facility, targeting the spent nuclear fuel storage, according to a statement by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The MFA said the shelling lasted more than an hour, raising grave concerns about the safety of the plant and the wider region. The incident, it stressed, is yet another example of Russia’s reckless actions that threaten not only Ukraine but also the entire European continent.
Earlier, head of the Center for the Study of Occupation Petro Andriushchenko voiced concerns about a possible increase in background radiation in Zaporizhzhia.
In a video posted on social media, Andriushchenko displayed a handheld device registering radiation levels in the air. The measurement was taken near the small market in Zaporizhzhia at around 7:00 p.m. Kyiv time.
