Ukraine war - live updates: Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant could become 'dirty bomb', Ukraine warns
Both Ukraine and Russia have warned of an imminent attack on the plant by the other side
Ukraine's foreign ministry has shared a video showing possible scenarios for an attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant after both Russia and Ukraine suggested the other side were looking to shell the facility.
"For the first time in history, an invading army captured a nuclear power plant," the ministry tweeted. "A Ukrainian facility with 6 nuclear reactors is controlled by Russia. Here are three scenarios of how Russia can transform this facility into a dirty bomb — or worse," it added, sharing a video modelling potential fallout scenarios.
For the first time in history, an invading army captured a nuclear power plant. A Ukrainian facility with 6 nuclear reactors is controlled by Russia.
Here are three scenarios of how Russia can transform this facility into a «dirty bomb» — or worse.
Video by @United24media pic.twitter.com/Y7tLKJq0vc— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) July 6, 2023
And despite experts with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) not finding evidence of explosives at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, an article from the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists urged the West to be prepared for potential fallout.
Such an attack on the plant in Ukraine would be "akin to Chernobyl", an expert warned after both Russia and Ukraine suggested an attack from the other side is imminent.
Ukraine war: Latest updates
Explosion at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant ‘could be akin to Chernobyl’ (Evening Standard)
Lack of firepower hampers Ukraine’s advance on Zaporizhzhia front line (France 24)
Zelensky says world should show Russia readiness to react (Kyiv Independent)
The largest danger at Zaporizhzhia: intentional sabotage (Bulletin of Atomic Scientists)
We have paused updating our live coverage this week. For the last updates on the Ukraine crisis, please visit our hub page
Fears over Zaporizhzhia plant
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that he had told French president Emmanuel Macron that "the occupation troops are preparing dangerous provocations at the Zaporizhzhia".
Ukrainian armed forces stated on Telegram that operational data suggested explosive devices had been planted on the roof of the power station. "If detonated, they would not damage the reactors but would create an image of shelling from the Ukrainian side," they said.
Conversely, Russia claimed that Ukraine was planning to shell the plant, which is in the Russian-occupied city of Enerhodar, amid long-running fears over a nuclear disaster at what is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
"Under cover of darkness overnight on 5th July, the Ukrainian military will try to attack the Zaporizhzhia station using long-range precision equipment and kamikaze attack drones," said Renat Karchaa, an adviser to the head of Russian nuclear network Rosenergoatom.
