KYIV: Russian soldiers shelled Europe's largest nuclear power plant, causing a fire as they advanced on a critical energy-producing Ukrainian city, gaining headway in their bid to shut the country off from the sea.
Leading nuclear authorities expressed alarm — but not panic — about the power station's damage. The attack prompted telephone conversations between Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, and Joe Biden, President of the United States of America, as well as other world leaders. As a precaution, the US Department of Energy activated its nuclear emergency response team.
The attack on Enerhodar and its Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant occurred as the invasion reached its second week, and another round of talks between the two sides resulted in a tentative agreement to establish safe corridors for citizens evacuation and humanitarian supplies delivery.
According to Andriy Tuz, a nuclear plant spokesman, shells were dropping straight on the complex, setting fire to one of its six reactors. Although the reactor is closed for maintenance and is not operational, he stated that it contains nuclear fuel.
Firefighters were unable to approach the flames due to the fact that they were being shot. Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Minister of Ukraine, appealed to Russia to halt the attack and allow fire brigades inside.