The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was the target of the Russian onslaught on Day 9 of its war with Ukraine. Following the strike on the nuclear plant, a fire broke out in the training building outside the plant’s perimeter, Ukraine’s emergency services said. The Zaporizhzhia plant is Europe’s largest nuclear plant, accounting for about one quarter of Ukraine’s power generation.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said there has been no radiation leak and the six nuclear reactors remain unaffected by Russian shelling. However, at least three Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the attack.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of “nuclear terror”, saying that Putin wants a “repeat” of Chernobyl. Here are the top developments.
RUSSIA TARGETS NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Five days after Russia’s nuclear deterrent forces were put on high alert under Putin’s direction, the invading troops targeted Ukraine’s nuclear power plant. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was on fire amid intense fighting between the Russian and Ukrainian troops.
Russian forces shelled Europe’s largest nuclear plant, sparking a fire as they pressed their attack on a crucial energy-producing Ukrainian city and gained ground in their bid to cut off the country from the sea. (Photo: AP)
UN atomic watchdog IAEA’s Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, offered to travel to Chernobyl to negotiate with Ukraine and Russia to try and ensure the security of all nuclear sites. Ukrainian authorities have said that the plant is now secure.
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The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, if damaged, would have caused devastation six times worse than Chornobyl, Zelenskyy warned. This night could have been the end of history for Ukraine and Europe, he added.
“No country other than Russia has ever fired at nuclear power units. This is the first time in our history. The state has now resorted to nuclear terror,” Zelenskyy said.
Within hours of the invasion, Russia had taken control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, where, many believe, the story of Soviet disintegration began in 1986.
CASUALTIES OF WAR
According to the United Nations, over 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine into neighboring countries since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24. Militaries on both sides have suffered losses. Ukraine said that nearly 10,000 Russian troops have been killed. As many as 250 Russian tanks have been destroyed.
The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said that it has recorded 752 civilian casualties in Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion.
Meanwhile, an Indian student was shot at in Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv. Union minister VK Singh stresses that the Indian Embassy has already advised its citizens to evacuate the war-torn country. In the event of a war, the gun bullet does not look at anyone’s religion and nationality, he added.
The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said that it has recorded 752 civilian casualties in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. (Photo: AP)
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, roughly 3,000 Indians are still in Ukraine – around 300 are still in Kharkiv and 300 in Sumy, both conflict zones.
The Times has reported that there have been at least three Assassination attempts on Ukraine President Zelensky over the past week. Two different outfits were reportedly sent to kill the Ukrainian president – mercenaries of the Kremlin-backed Wagner group and Chechen Special Forces. Both have been threatened by anti-war elements within Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), the report said.
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TO INQUIRE RUSSIAN AGGRESSION ON UKRAINE
The UN Human Rights Council has decided to urgently establish an independent international commission of inquiry into response to Russia’s invasion. The 47-member Council voted on a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Ukraine. The resolution was adopted with 32 votes in favour, two against (Russia and Eritrea) and 13 abstentions, including IndiaChina, Pakistan, Sudan and Venezuela.
Welcoming the mandate, Zelenskyy said, “Russian war criminals will be held responsible.”
An overview of the special session on the situation in Ukraine of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva. (Photo: Reuters)
With no end to the war in sight, the US has established a channel of direct communication with the Russian ministry of defense to avoid unintended conflict related to the war in Ukraine.
A US defense official said the “de-confliction line” was established on March 1 “for the purpose of preventing miscalculation, military incidents, and escalation”. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to AFP because the communication line has not been announced yet.
Russia and Ukraine are looking to hold the third round of talks after the previous ones failed to deliver tangible results, as the war rages on.
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