The Zaporizhia NPP (ZNPP) has again come under attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to the plant’s press service. ZNPP said on its Telegram channel: “The armed forces of Ukraine carried out massive artillery fire on the territory of the industrial zone and facilities directly adjacent to the Zaporizhia NPP site. As a direct consequence of these targeted shellings, a fire broke out near the plant’s hydraulic structures,” the statement said.
The shelling continued from early morning on 12 August, Regional Governor Yevgeny Balitsky reported on his Telegram channel. “As a result, dry vegetation caught fire, causing smoke around the plant,” he wrote. He added that the Ministry of Emergency Situations was trying to extinguish the fires. “Please remain calm, there is no threat, and the plant is operating normally. The situation is fully under control and will not have any consequences for the plant or the residents. The radiation levels around the plant and the city of Energodar are normal,” he said in a statement.
Yevgeniya Yashina, ZNPP Director of Communications told RIA Novosti. “Unfortunately, we have to state that the intensity of shelling and provocations increases on the eve of key international negotiations. Experience shows that these are not just shelling, but a tactic – an information provocation that is deliberately intensified on the eve of important international negotiations,” she said, referring to the planned summit in Alaska between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
ZNPP Director Yuriy Chernichuk said the shelling began at 8 am. “As a result, by 2 pm, a visible and massive fire broke out near the plant’s hydraulic structures. Fortunately, the fire was limited to grass and dry vegetation. Currently, we are experiencing hot weather. Fortunately, there were no injuries among the staff. Critical equipment was also unaffected. But such a critical proximity to the station’s perimeter, which is about 700 metres or slightly more, once again highlights the reckless nature of the attack.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors at the station were notified of the incident. Chernichuk said: “They responded a few minutes ago as follows: They saw smoke and fire. The radiation level did not increase. There were no injuries. The IAEA did not specify where the shots were fired from. This is similar to their previous responses to Ukrainian attacks.”
