At least two low-flying Russian cruise missiles flew over a nuclear power plant in Ukraine on Tuesday before striking their targets, putting the safety of the plant at risk, according to Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company.
The missiles reportedly rocketed over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southeastern Ukraine before explosions were heard in the city Tuesday morning, according to the region’s military administration. Ukrainian officials confirmed this morning that at least three Russian missiles struck the Ukrainian-controlled city, with unconfirmed reports indicating that state administration buildings were hit. No injuries have been reported.
“The flight of missiles at low altitudes directly above the [Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant] site, where seven nuclear facilities with a huge amount of nuclear material are located, poses huge risks,” said Petro Kotin, head of Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company.
“After all, missiles can hit one or more nuclear facilities, and this threatens a nuclear and radiation catastrophe around the world,” Kotin continued.
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The Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. It was captured by Russian forces on March 4 after a tense battle that damaged part of the facility.
According to Energoatom, the nuclear power plant is still under Russian control.
“The occupiers are also keeping heavy equipment and ammunition directly at the [Zaporizhzhia] site, effectively turning the station into a military base and terrorizing the station’s staff and the population of the satellite city,” Energoatom said in a message on Telegram.
The Russian mission to the United Nations tweeted on Monday, before cruise missiles flew over Zaporizhzhia, that Russian military activity in the region does not threaten the safety of nuclear facilities.
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“Activities of Russia’s Armed Forces did not and do not in any way affect nuclear safety of Ukrainian nuclear facilities. Russian military personnel don’t interfere w/ the work of the operator of the Zaporozhye NPP. Radiation level is under control & within normal range,” the Russian mission tweeted.
