Damage to the sixth reactor building in Zaporizhia NPP
© APA/International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
According to information from Moscow, Kremlin President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone about the critical situation at the Russian-occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhia. According to the Kremlin, Putin called for international action on Ukraine to stop its attacks on the station. On the other hand, Kyiv has repeatedly accused Russian forces of bombing the nuclear power plant, which has been under its control since March.
Shortly before, it became known that the largest nuclear power plant in Europe had to be closed completely. According to the Ukrainian nuclear authority Enerhoatom, all connection lines to the power grid were temporarily cut due to the bombing. The Russian side also confirmed the closure of the plant, and two employees of the International Atomic Energy Agency are still at the site to monitor the situation.
They warn of a catastrophe due to the unstable situation at the nuclear facility. They expressed concern about the lack of external power to cool the reactor core and nuclear waste.
The nuclear power plant was also the subject of a phone conversation between Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday evening. According to a statement from the Elysee Palace, Macron once again called for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the nuclear power plant.
