World capitals fear a potential nuclear disaster as the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine was set on fire during the Russia-Ukraine crisis; fire has been extinguished now.
Zaporizhzhia, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe is now under the control of Russian troops. Ukrainian authorities report that a building at the power plant was set on fire during fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops.
Although world capitals were greatly fearing an oncoming nuclear disaster as news of the fire at the training centre at Zaporizhzhia power plant spread fast, the fire has been extinguished now.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of sowing the seeds of “nuclear terror” and has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of wanting to repeat the horrors of the Chernobyl disaster.
In a video message, Zelensky said,
“No country other than Russia has ever fired on nuclear power units. This is the first time in our history. In the history of mankind. The terrorist state now resorted to nuclear terror.”
The Director of the nuclear plant guarantees safety
Oleksandr Starukh, head of military administration at Zaporizhzhia announced recently on Facebook that the safety of the nuclear plant has now been secured. Mr Starukh said,
“The director of the plant said that nuclear safety is now guaranteed.”
The White House reported that U.S President Joe Biden has had a discussion with Ukrainian president Zelensky about the fire at the Zaporizhzhia power plant.
The White House further informed that both the world leaders have urged Russia to
“cease its military activities in the area and allow firefighters and emergency responders to access the site.”
Fighting intensifies in southern Ukraine
On the other hand, the struggle between the Russian and Ukrainian troops has reached southern Ukraine. Kherson is the first southern city to be hit by the war.
Russian troops have seized it now. Shelling continues in Mariupol, Kharkiv and Chernihiv. Local Ukrainian officials have confirmed that Russian military forces have seized the local government headquarters at Kherson located in the Black Seaport.
An agreement has been reached between Ukraine’s delegation and Russia’s to establish corridors to allow safe passage of civilians away from combat points.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to President Zelensky says that cease-fires will be called along these corridors.
Edited By : Kiran Maharana
Published By : K. Bindhiya Prarthana
