- On 9 August, the Russians bombed just twenty kilometres from the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. The explosions have destroyed 20 buildings. This is not the first time that this nuclear power plant has been in the spotlight on both sides.
At least thirteen people have been killed by the Russian bombings and so many other injuries. Ukraine's emergency services declare that 20 buildings have been destroyed by the Russians. The explosions have taken place in the vicinity of the Dnieper River, near the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, about twenty kilometres away. In addition, Russia accuses Ukraine of having bombed the centre of the power plant on 11 August.
Andrii Jerma, adviser to the President of Ukraine, has said that the Russians have launched 80 shells. The nuclear power plant has been bombed several times in recent weeks and its owner says that Russia is sending the electricity it produces to Crimea. The International Atomic Energy Agency (EEA) has declared that there is no immediate nuclear threat. However, due to non-compliance with security measures, the expert has requested his assistance as soon as possible.
Threat of a disaster
The bombing of this area poses the risk of a nuclear accident. This message has been re-broadcast by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterre: "We have to speak clearly: Any attack, both in Zapore Jai and in any other nuclear power plant, can have catastrophic effects, locally or beyond. It's absolutely unacceptable."
Krimea explosions, for the time being unaccountable
On 9 August there were also bombings at a military aerodrome used by Russia. The adviser to the Ukrainian President, Volodímir Zelenski, Mikhail Podolyak, pointed out that they had nothing to do with this attack. However, Vladimir Putin points out that Ukraine is responsible, even if it underestimates the impact of this military attack on reducing its political weight. Russia regards Krimea as its territory – in 2014 it signed the Russian pact to link it to Krimea and Sevastopol itself. Thus, if it were an attack by Ukraine, the red line set by Moscow would be wiped out because it does not support Western arms attacks on its territory.
The explosions have caused damage to more than 60 homes and 20 shops. Krimea's ordinances establish an emergency situation. Zelenski noted, hours after the attack: "This war, which Russia directed against Ukraine and free Europe, began in Crime and will end with the liberation of Crime."