Ukraine crises: “nuclear power plant secure after Russian attack”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its second week Thursday as fighting continues across the smaller country.
Specific accounts of military activity are difficult to confirm as the situation on the ground in Ukraine can change quickly.
There were conflicting reports about which side controls the city of Kherson. Ukrainians still control capital Kyiv despite Russian efforts to overtake the city.
Port city Maripol and Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second biggest city, experienced heavy shelling Wednesday.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said she has spoken to Ukraine’s energy minister about the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and has decided to activate the U.S. Nuclear Incident Response Team.
“The plant’s reactors are protected by robust containment structures and reactors are being safely shut down.”
“Russian military operations near the plant are reckless and must cease,” added Granholm in a tweet.
Separately, the International Atomic Energy Agency said that it has spoken with Ukrainian leadership, and has been told that “essential” equipment at the plant is still functioning.
“Ukraine tells IAEA that fire at site of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has not affected essential’ equipment, plant personnel taking mitigatory actions,” the agency posted on Twitter.
