Fire rages near Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

An extraordinary incident near the largest nuclear reactors in Europe: coastal vegetation is burning, extinguishing is impossible due to the threat of mines.

Something is burning near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, a large plume of smoke has risen. It can be seen from the opposite bank of the former Kakhovka reservoir – in the Nikopol district of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Local authorities reported that the smoke began in the middle of the day on August 12 near the station’s cargo port. It is impossible to extinguish the fire because the entire surrounding area is mined.

“Dry vegetation and coastal vegetation are burning. There is no threat to residents of the Nikopol district,” the Nikopol district state administration reported on this occasion.

The Ministry of Energy also reported a fire near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. According to the institution, flames are observed near the station’s cargo port. The institution noted that the causes of the fire are currently unknown.

“The event once again demonstrates the threats posed by the Russian presence at the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Any provocations near the ZNPP could have catastrophic consequences for the entire continent,” the Ministry of Energy said in a statement.

According to unofficial information, it is currently impossible to extinguish the fire because the Russians mined the entire shore of the Kakhovka reservoir. At the same time, the occupying authorities of Energodar remained silent about the situation for a long time.

Finally, a message came from them. “There is no threat, the plant is operating normally,” it said.

The fire at the ZNPP on August 12 was visible even from Nikopol. Photos from open sources.

The Center for Countering Disinformation warned that after each incident around the ZNPP, Russia tries to blame Ukraine for it. However, none of the occupants’ statements were confirmed.

«Russia is actively manipulating the situation around the Zaporizhzhia NPP, accusing Ukrainian troops of shelling the station’s territory. In particular, Russian propagandists are spreading fake information about alleged shelling by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which caused smoke in the area of the station’s cargo port,” the center for countering disinformation says in a report».

It is worth noting that recently, extraordinary events around the Zaporizhzhia NPP have become more frequent.

The previous report about explosions and smoke at the Zaporizhzhia NPP was received on August 3. Information about the extraordinary event was distributed by the IAEA.

On July 19, smoke rose above the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which was also seen from Nikopol. The day before, a blackout occurred in the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia.

On July 14, the IAEA reported that shooting occurred in the immediate vicinity of the reactor units of the station. Hundreds of small arms shots were fired.