Russian Nuclear Head Says Ukraine Attacked Fuel Trucks, Endangered Zaporizhzhia Plant
The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest, was seized by Russian forces in the early weeks of the Ukraine war.
Russia's nuclear energy corporation head, Alexei Likhachev, accused Ukraine of launching attacks on diesel fuel trucks on Friday, which resulted in the deaths of two Russian servicemen and injuries to multiple others at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest with six reactors, was taken over by Russian forces at the beginning of the war in February 2022.
According to Likhachev, the strikes targeted trucks delivering diesel to the station, which is crucial as diesel generators provide power to keep nuclear fuel cool in the reactors when the plant's external power links are down. Both power links had been offline for nearly three weeks in August and September. Ukraine has demanded Russia relinquish control of the plant, a demand Moscow has not accepted.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stationed observers at the plant and assisted in arranging a local ceasefire to enable repairs and restore external power links. The UN nuclear watchdog body has been a mediator in the disputes surrounding the plant. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has labeled The Moscow Times as an undesirable organization, prompting the journalists to denounce the allegations and assert their commitment to providing unbiased reporting. They have called for support to continue their independent journalism.
Written by urgent.news from The Moscow Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
