Ukriane’s President Zelenskyy warned y that the safety of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant Zaporizhzhia is threatened by Russia’s war against Ukraine, as the country marked the 38th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility has been at the centre of nuclear safety crisis since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Zelensky said “Radiation sees no borders or national flags. The Chornobyl disaster demonstrated how rapidly deadly threats can emerge. Tens of thousands of people mitigated the Chornobyl disaster at the cost of their own health and lives, eliminating its terrible consequences in 1986 and the years after. For 35 days in 2022, Russia occupied the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Russian soldiers looted laboratories, captured guards and abused personnel, as well as used the station to launch further military operations. For 785 days now, Russian terrorists have held hostage the Zaporizhzhia NPP. And it is the entire world’s responsibility to put pressure on Russia to ensure that ZNPP is liberated and returned to full Ukrainian control, as well as that all Ukrainian nuclear facilities are protected from Russian strikes. This is the only way to prevent new radiation disasters, which the Russian occupiers’ presence at ZNPP constantly threatens. We remember the dedication of the people who saved lives in 1986. We appreciate everyone who is helping to save lives right now.”
