Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE Updates: UK PM speaks with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, says will seek UNSC meeting
Thousands are thought to have died or been wounded as the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two unfolds.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the largest of its kind in Europe, was on fire early on Friday after an attack by Russian troops, the mayor of the nearby town of Energodar said.
There has been fierce fighting between local forces and Russian troops, Dmytro Orlov said in an online post, adding that there had been casualties without giving details.
Earlier, Ukrainian authorities reported Russian troops were stepping up efforts to seize the plant and had entered the town with tanks. The incursion is entering its ninth day.
"As a result of continuous enemy shelling of buildings and units of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is on fire," Orlov said on his Telegram channel, citing what he called a threat to world security.
He did not give details. Reuters could not immediately verify the information.
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency tweeted, "IAEA is aware of reports of shelling at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), in contact with Ukrainian authorities about situation."
"IAEA Director-General Rafael MarianoGrossi speaks with Ukraine PM Denys Shmygal & Ukrainian nuclear regulator & operator; appeals for halt of use of force and warns of severe danger if reactors hit," tweeted IAEA.
Thousands are thought to have died or been wounded as the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two unfolds, creating 1 million refugees, hits to Russia`s economy, and fears of wider conflict in the West unthought-of for decades.
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Thousands are thought to have died or been wounded as the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two unfolds.
UK PM Boris Johnson speaks with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, says will seek UNSC meeting
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday spoke with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and discussed the grave concerns over the situation of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, after Russian troops attacked it and sparked a fire.
Johnson has said he will seek an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
"I've just spoken to President @ZelenskyyUa about the gravely concerning situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station. Russia must immediately cease its attack on the power station and allow unfettered access for emergency services to the plant, Johnson said on Twitter after his early morning call.According to a statement put out by Johnson's office both leaders agreed that Russia must immediately cease its attack on the power station and allow unfettered access for emergency services to the plant."
Ukraine officials say fire at nuclear power plant erupted outside the perimeter
A fire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine, the largest of its kind in Europe, broke out in a training building outside the plant`s perimeter after an attack by Russian troops, the state emergency service said in a statement on Friday.
Separately, the plant`s director told Ukraine 24 television that radiation security had been secured at the site.
US President Joe Biden 'just spoke with Zelensky' about Ukraine nuclear station: senior US official.
IAEA: Ukraine says 'no change' in radiation levels at nuclear plant.
Russia-Ukraine conflict: Another Indian student shot in Kyiv, hospitalised
An Indian student has been hospitalised after he was shot with a bullet in the capital city of Ukraine, a few days after an Indian student lost his life in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking exclusively to ANI, Minister of State (MoS) for Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) General VK Singh revealed the information at Poland`s Rzeszow airport on Thursday. "A student from Kyiv was reported to have been shot and was immediately admitted to the hospital in Kyiv," General (retd) Singh told ANI.
We have 4 flights tomorrow from here (Rzeszow) & 1 from Warsaw; we're trying to evacuate 800-900 students as they don't have spaces to stay here, where will keep them? A temporary arrangement has been made, they won't be as comfortable: MoS Civil Aviation VK Singh.
We have sent back 7 flights in the last 3 days (to India), with around 200 Indian citizens on each flight. Some students who reached Warsaw & have their relatives & friends there have decided to stay; they're safe in Poland: MoS Civil Aviation Gen (Retd) VK Singh, in Poland.
Ukraine Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba says, "Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broken out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chernobyl!"