The war-torn nation narrowly avoids disaster as Russia and Ukraine both blame each other for the strikes
Ukraine escaped a major nuclear tragedy after the largest nuclear plant in Europe was rocked by shelling. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine was heavily shelled on Sunday, November 20, resulting in at least twelve explosions around the facility.
According to a report by Reuters on Monday, November 21, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that the shelling has damaged the radioactive waste storage building, but the critical parts of the facility are fine. Both the Russian and Ukrainian sides have confirmed the attacks, but neither have accepted the blame for it. Meanwhile, the UN watch dog, IAEA, have raised concerns over the attack and in a statement said, those behind the attack are playing with fire, the report adds.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, Agency director-general of IAEA has also confirmed the number of explosions heard from the site. According to the report, his team present on the site have stated that no major damage has been done to the critical parts of the nuclear facility.
“Whoever is behind this, it must stop immediately. As I have said many times before, you’re playing with fire”, said Grossi, the report adds.
Since being taken by Russian soldiers shortly after the war began, the nuclear plant has been forced to operate on backup generators multiple times. This plant used to provide one fifth of energy in Ukraine prior to the invasion by Russia.
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