By Ananya Varma

Copyright timesnownews

Europe stands on edge as the continent’s largest nuclear facility, the Zaporizhzhia power plant, faces escalating danger. Intensified shelling has inched the site toward catastrophe, with Russian officials pointing fingers at Ukraine and warning that a single strike could unleash a radioactive disaster across Europe. The warning follows a drone attack on September 19, when three Ukrainian drones struck the plant’s training center during a planned visit by International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors. The IAEA experts were promptly evacuated. Radiation levels remain normal, and no critical damage was reported. IAEA observers reported “black smoke rising from three locations” near the plant, while its Russian-installed operators confirmed artillery fire landed just 400 meters from its off-site diesel storage. “What was once virtually unimaginable — shelling or other military activity taking place close to major nuclear facilities — has become a regular occurrence during this horrific war,” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said. Chernobyl fears return A radioactive disaster would affect not only the Zaporizhzhia region or Russia, but also the whole of Europe. “Imagine what happens if one of those strikes hits the reactor or a storage facility for spent nuclear fuel. A radioactive disaster would affect not only the Zaporizhzhiaregion or Russia, but also the whole of Europe. But the Kyiv regime does not care a damn. They could risk the future of the entire planet for the sake of their political ambitions,” said Yevgeny Belitsky, Governor of Zaporizhzhia region. Russian forces and plant employees are working around the clock to protect the complex, he added. “The power plant is maintained thanks to Russian protection and the courage of ZNPP staff. Every effort is being made to keep it functioning,” he remarked. Also Read: Nuclear Scare in Kursk? Russia Says Ukraine’s Drone Strikes Have Hit Power Plant, Fire Erupts At Facility Meanwhile, Yuri Chernichuk, Director of the NPP, noted that the Zaporizhzhia facility is the first nuclear plant in the world to operate for three years inside an active combat zone, adding that the lessons learned will influence global nuclear safety regulations. “The situation we have encountered, first in the world, will bring changes to the framework for ensuring the physical security of nuclear facilities,” he said. The IAEA has warned for months about the risks of a nuclear accident, accusing Russia of using the plant to pressure Ukraine and its partners. Before Moscow seized it in March 2022, the Zaporizhzhia plant, located in Enerhodar, produced around 20% of Ukraine’s electricity. As artillery echoes around Europe’s biggest reactor, one miscalculation could turn Zaporizhzhia into the next Chernobyl.