Ukraine accuses Russia of “nuclear terrorism” after a missile fell 300 meters from its factory | Ukraine and Russia
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A missile attack near a nuclear power plant in Ukraine This Monday (19) prompted Kyiv to accuse Moscow of “nuclear terrorism”. Security cameras captured the moment of the explosion. (see video above)
The projectile fell in a circumference of less than 300 meters from one of the reactors at the Pevdnokrainesk plant and created a crater two meters deep with a diameter of four meters, according to information from the Ukrainian nuclear energy agency, Energoatom.
None of the plant’s three reactors were hurt and no workers were hurt, but the attack did hit industrial equipment.
Near the site of the missile crash has renewed fears of a possible nuclear accident that could lead to a radioactive leak.
The industrial complex where the plant is located is located about 300 km from the capital, Kyiv, along the South Bug River.
The attack led to the temporary shutdown of a nearby hydroelectric station, as well as smashing more than 100 windows in the industrial complex and breaking three transmission lines, according to Ukrainian officials.
The Pevdnoukrainsk nuclear power plant is located in the Mykolaiv region of southern Ukraine – Photo: Reuters / Victoria Lyksina
The Pevdenokrainesk plant, in the south of the country, is the second largest in the country after Zaporizhzhya, which was also the target of attacks. The reactors at the two sites were designed identically.
The The Zaporizhzhia factory, the largest in Europe, is occupied by Russian forces From the first days of the Russian invasion Ukrainewhich lasted about seven months.
Nearby explosions shattered transmission lines, forcing Ukrainian technicians still working at the site to shut down the six reactors.
The Russians and Ukrainians blame each other for the attacks around the plant.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, which supervises the Zaporizhzhya monitors, reported that last Friday (16) one of the main transmission lines was restarted, making it possible to generate the electricity needed to cool the reactors.
Satellite images show holes in the roof of the nuclear power plant Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine, on August 29 – Photo: Maxar Technologies via Reuters
After a series of setbacks by Russian forces in recent weeks, Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to increase attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. Moscow has already bombed power plants and transportation equipment, causing blackouts and compromising safety systems at nuclear power plants operated by Kyiv.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and Energy described the attack as an act of “nuclear terrorism” on the part of the Kremlin.
However, Putin claims that his forces have so far acted with restraint in response to Ukrainian attempts to target Russian facilities. “If the situation develops in this direction, the response will be more serious,” the president warned.
“The Russian armed forces have recently carried out high-impact attacks,” he added, referring to the bombings carried out last week. “Let’s consider them warning attacks.”
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