Whole world must pressure Russia to ensure liberation of ZNPP - Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, which occurred on April 26, 1986, by calling on the world to pressure Russia to ensure the liberation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) from occupiers.
"For 785 days now, Russian terrorists have held hostage the Zaporizhzhia NPP. And it is the entire world's responsibility to put pressure on Russia to ensure that ZNPP is liberated and returned to full Ukrainian control, as well as that all Ukrainian nuclear facilities are protected from Russian strikes," Zelenskyy wrote.
The president emphasized that this is the only way to prevent new radiation disasters, which are constantly threatened by the presence of Russian occupiers at ZNPP.
He also recalled Russia's occupation of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 2022.
"For 35 days in 2022, Russia occupied the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Russian soldiers looted laboratories, captured guards and abused personnel, as well as used the station to launch further military operations," the president wrote.
Zelenskyy stressed that radiation knows no borders or national flags.
"The Chornobyl disaster demonstrated how rapidly deadly threats can emerge. Tens of thousands of people mitigated the Chornobyl disaster at the cost of their own health and lives, eliminating its terrible consequences in 1986 and the years after," he said.
Zelenskyy added that everyone remembers the selflessness of those who saved lives in 1986.
"We appreciate everyone who is helping to save lives right now," concluded the head of state.
Chornobyl disaster
The accident at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant 38 years ago was recognized as the largest man-made disaster in history.
Radiation in 27 countries, the evacuation of over 100,000 people, contamination of five million hectares of land, and a 30-kilometer exclusion zone. Of the 600,000 liquidators, 10% died, and 165,000 became disabled. All this was caused by the Chornobyl disaster.
