The russian army has staged a new provocation at the occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. As a result, a fire broke out at one of the facilities. Find out why russia might have taken such a step and what Ukraine and the IAEA are saying

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The evening of 11 August ended with alarming news: a fire broke out at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which became a new provocation by the russian authorities to accuse Ukraine of creating a dangerous nuclear threat situation. 

The first alarming report about the fire at the plant was published by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He said that the Ukrainian side fixes the fire at ZNPP, which was set by russian occupants.

"Now the radiation indicators are normal. But as long as russian terrorists retain control over the nuclear plant, the situation is not and cannot be normal. russia has been using the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant since the first day of its seizure purely to blackmail both Ukraine and the whole of Europe and the world," the president stressed.

Zelenskyy also said at the time that Ukraine was waiting for the reaction of the world and the IAEA.

What did the IAEA say?

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose observers are present at the huge nuclear power plant with six reactors, said those saw heavy, thick smoke "emanating from the north-western part of the plant" after hearing "several explosions throughout the evening".

"The team was informed that there was an alleged drone attack on one of the plant's cooling towers today". IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi confirmed that this would not affect nuclear safety," the organisation said in a statement.

The russians, however, came up with their own version of what happened and blamed Ukraine. The occupants claim that the plant, namely the cooling tower, was "attacked by an AFU drone". However, they did not provide direct evidence.

It is worth noting that there are no traces of an explosion or other evidence of the attack on the footage of the fire at the plant.

Ukraine's Enerhoatom said that russia was using the nuclear power plant's cooling towers to store military equipment and explosives, and the fire could have been caused by negligence or arson. According to some reports, the acrid black smoke from the cooling tower could have come from burning tyres.

It is important to note that this is the most dangerous provocation at ZNPP, which the occupants have organised since the beginning of the occupation of the plant. Fortunately, by the morning of 12 August the fire was eliminated without any consequences for the nuclear units.

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Why did the russians organise a provocation now?

Note that the occupiers' provocative actions are taking place against the background of a complete failure of defence in the Kursk region, where the Ukrainian army has been conducting its first offensive on russian territory for about a week now.

The main task of the enemy today is to discredit Ukraine in the eyes of the world. And such a provocation will probably not be the last one due to the deteriorating situation in the russian defence.

However, russia's "games" at the nuclear power plant could end in a global catastrophe that would affect not only Ukraine, but also many European countries, as the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant is the largest such facility in the EU.

What if the russians blow up the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant?

Despite the fact that there is no threat to Zaporozhye NPP so far, citizens should always be prepared for an emergency situation due to rash actions of the russian army.

Algorithm of actions in case of an explosion at ZNPP:

First of all, it is necessary to collect an alarm suitcase:

- documents and their copies;

- bank cards and cash reserves;

- medical cards with health data;

- first-aid medicines;

- food kits - goods that can be stored for a long time;

- survival items: torch, first aid kit, batteries and radio.

You should also prepare a set of clothing that will completely and tightly cover your body, face, skin and hair. Do not forget also a set of change of clothes.

It is advisable to buy several FFP3 respirators in advance. 

If the accident does occur, be sure to switch on means of communication, listen carefully and follow the orders of the authorities and the State Emergency Service. It is necessary to get home or to a shelter with tightly closed windows and doors as soon as possible.

We remind you! A new front has formed on the Ukrainian-russian border. The main battles have intensified in the Kursk region of russia. What is happening in the border area and why the new attack on russia looks like a serious operation of Ukraine, read here.

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