Russian troops attack Ukraine nuclear plant as crisis accelerates

• Zelensky said that Russia wanted a replay of Chernobyl, which was the world's worst nuclear tragedy in 1986

• Boris Johnson requests an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday over the attack

Russian armed forces have taken control of Europe's largest nuclear power facility, according to Ukraine's nuclear agency.

In the early hours of Friday morning, Russian soldiers bombarded the power plant. The attack caused a fire, which was quickly extinguished by Ukrainian emergency personnel.

As the invasion reached its second week, the attack on the eastern city of Enerhodar and its Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor unfolded. 

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Andriy Tuz, a spokesperson for the nuclear station, told Ukrainian television that shells were dropping straight on the facility, causing one of its six reactors to catch fire, AP reported. 

Firefighters can't get close to the fires because they're being fired at, he added, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease the attack and let fire crews inside.

“Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone!” Kuleba tweeted.

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The Zaporizhzhya nuclear power station, located in Ukraine's southeast, has six of the country's 15 operating nuclear power reactors.

The plant, which is around 550 kilometers (342 miles) produces over a quarter of all power in Ukraine. It is located on the Dnieper River, northeast of Kherson, which is claimed to be held by Russian soldiers.

Jennifer Granholm, the US Energy Secretary, said on Twitter that she had spoken with Ukraine's energy minister. " The plant’s reactors are protected by robust containment structures and reactors are being safely shut down," she tweeted. “We have seen no elevated radiation readings near the facility.”

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World leaders denounced Zaporizhzhia attack

World leaders have accused Russia of putting a whole continent's safety in jeopardy, while Ukraine's president has warned Russia of "nuclear terror."

Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, said “the reckless actions of President Putin could now directly threaten the safety of all of Europe.”

Johnson also told Zelenskyy that he would request an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the issue.

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US, President Joe Biden has asked Moscow to suspend military activity near the location, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that Russia's "horrific attacks" must end immediately.

In a video posted on social media, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia's actions prove that Europe has to wake up.

Zelensky said that Russia wanted a replay of Chernobyl, which was the world's worst nuclear tragedy in 1986.

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“Russia wants to repeat it, but six times over,” he said. “If it explodes, it’s the end of Europe. It will require the evacuation of Europe.”

Meanwhile, another round of discussions between the two sides generated a preliminary agreement to establish safe corridors to evacuate civilians and supply humanitarian relief.

Picture Credits: Al Jazeera