The burned areas around the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant can be seen in satellite photos taken by the American Planet Labs facility. Two photos capture the vicinity of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe before and after the attack that Kyiv claims that Russian forces carried out on June 11. The Russians, who control the facility, accused the Ukrainian side of the shelling.
Satellite images were taken on August 7 and 13. The photo taken later shows the areas of the burned out area around the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodara.
For weeks, the Ukrainian side has been accusing the Russians of artillery shelling in the vicinity and the area of the gym. On Thursday, June 11, the Ukrainian state-owned company Enerhoatom reported that Russian forces had carried out another shelling of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant and the territory in its vicinity. Enerhoatom described the actions of the Russian troops as a provocation. The Russians accused the Ukrainians of shelling.
Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant [7.08.2022]Reuters / Planet Labs PBC
According to Ukrainian intelligence, as a result of one of the Russian artillery attacks, the forest and grass in the areas adjacent to the power plant caught fire, which caused a lot of smoke, and the extinguishing of the fire made it difficult to shoot at the fire brigade unit.
Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant [13.08.2022]Reuters / Planet Labs PBC
The mayor of Enerhodaru, Dmytro Orlov, called on residents to limit their presence on the streets due to information about the upcoming provocations.
General secretary The United Nations Antonio Guterres called for an end to military operations around the plant. United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said it has the logistical and security capabilities needed to support the arrival of IAA inspectors (IAEA) to the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, if only Russia and Ukraine agree to this.
The largest nuclear power plant in Europe under Russian occupation
Located in the south Ukraine Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant – the largest nuclear power plant in Europe – was seized by Russian forces on the night of March 3-4. Russian soldiers and Rosatom employees are stationed on the premises. The Ukrainian company Enerhoatom informed in May that Ukrainian personnel were responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of the facility. On Friday, based on interviews with employees of the power plant, the BBC informed that Russian soldiers are “holding them at gunpoint” and use the power plant as a military base.
Zaporizhia Nuclear Power PlantALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO / Reuters / Forum
Main photo source: Reuters / Planet Labs PBC