Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: Thick smoke rises, details emerging
Photo: Smoke near the Zaporizhzhia NPP (Getty Images)
In the temporarily occupied part of Zaporizhzhia region, a column of smoke was spotted near the nuclear power plant. At the same time, the region experienced a power outage, according to ASTRA.
On the afternoon of July 19, a large plume of smoke appeared over the occupied city of Enerhodar, where the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is located.
According to social media reports, the smoke was visible for tens of kilometers. Simultaneously, it was reported that the entire Zaporizhzhia region was allegedly completely without power.
"There was a power outage affecting consumers in Enerhodar, Melitopol, and the Vasylivka, Kamianka-Dniprovska, and Veselivka districts of Zaporizhzhia region. The causes of the outage are being clarified," wrote Vladimir Rogov, head of the Russian-installed administration commission.
As of 2:00 p.m., a significant decrease in smoke was recorded. What exactly was burning remains unknown.
The RBC-Ukraine editorial team reached out to the Ministry of Energy and Energoatom for comments.
Their press services stated that the Ukrainian side is currently investigating information about a possible incident at the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Situation at Zaporizhzhia NPP
Russian forces captured the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant at the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the occupiers have systematically violated safety regulations for operating the nuclear facility, creating a constant risk of a man-made disaster. They have deployed military equipment and personnel on the plant’s territory.
During a one-day visit to Kyiv, the IAEA Director General stated that nuclear safety threats in Ukraine remain real and ongoing amid intensified Russian air strikes.
