A shelling of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe had been reported several times since Friday. The Kremlin announced on Monday that Kyiv was behind the attack. The West is being asked to put pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov spoke of a “highly dangerous activity” with catastrophic consequences for all of Europe in the worst case. According to Russian information, operations are currently running normally, the military and representatives of Russian supervision are on site.
From Kyiv it was said that the Russians had fired at the site themselves and had previously brought their own employees to safety in bunkers. Zymbaljuk said the situation is “unfortunately not looking good” at the moment. Damage to the power plant would not only have “huge consequences” for Ukraine, according to Zymbalyuk. Several sensors for radiation monitoring at the nuclear power plant were destroyed by the shots, and power lines were also damaged. Russia is trying to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine.
Atomic Energy Agency demands access
The information provided by both sides cannot be checked independently. The IAEA has been complaining for a long time that it cannot access the site. IAEA Secretary General Rafael Grossi warned at the weekend of a “very real danger of a nuclear catastrophe”. The United Nations hopes that will change soon.
Meanwhile, according to a media report, the administrative authorities of the Zaporizhia region set up by Russia are to prepare further steps for a referendum on union with Russia. The region’s head of administration has signed a decree for such a referendum, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. Zelenskyj had threatened Russia with a final break off of talks if Russia pushed ahead with the annexation of further Ukrainian territories.
Where is war heading in Ukraine?
A peace solution on the negotiating table still seems a long way off. What can Europe do to end the conflict? What role do western arms shipments play? How effective are the EU sanctions against Russia? What is necessary for peace?
Discuss with debatte.ORF.at!
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