Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Grave concerns over the risk of fire and radioactive leaks from shelled Ukrainian power plant

In the event of an accident contamination from Zaporizhzhia NPP would exceed the consequences of Chernobyl and Fukushima, Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev says

Photo: EPA/BGNES

Grave concerns over the risk of fire and radioactive leaks due to the firing at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest nuclear power plant, continue.

"Zaporizhzhia NPP is operating at risk of violating radiation and fire safety standards," Ukrainian nuclear regulator Energoatom was quoted as saying by BTA. "Energoatom said yesterday that one of the reactors at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant had been shut down after shelling, for which Kiev and Moscow blame each other," AFP reported.

Shells hit a high-voltage power line on Friday at the facility, prompting its operators to disconnect a reactor despite no radioactive leak being detected. The plant was captured by Russian forces in early March in the opening stage of the war but it is still run by its Ukrainian technicians.

United Nation's nuclear watchdog IAEA called for a halt to hostilities in the power plant site. Head of the National Center for Defense Control, Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev announced, quoted by TASS, said that in the event of an accident, radioactive contamination would exceed the consequences of Chernobyl and Fukushima.

A foreign-flagged ship arrived in Ukraine on Saturday for the first time since the war started in February, and will be loaded with grain, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said.Barbados-flagged general cargo ship Fulmar S entered the Ukrainian port of Chernomorsk.

Under the July 22 Istanbul Agreement it will be loaded with grain and allowed to sail, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said yesterday. According to him, this is a sign for shipowners that the "grain corridor" is a safe and profitable business opportunity to return to Ukrainian ports, UNIAN reports.

4 ships loaded with Ukrainian corn have already sailed from Ukrainian ports after the signing of the Istanbul Agreement, and 4 more are due to sail today. Despite the war, farmers in Ukraine will harvest about 52 million tons of grain and 13-15 million tons of oilseeds this year, Ukraine's Deputy Agrarian Minister Taras Vysotsky was quoted as saying by Ukrinform.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Tension rises during protest against the euro in central Sofia

A protest in defense of the Bulgarian lev and against Bulgaria's entry into the Eurozone began at noon in the center of Sofia. The organizers are the Vazrazhdane party and civil organizations. The participants are demanding a broad public debate on the..

published on 2/22/25 4:13 PM

Danube Bridge connecting Bulgaria and Romania to be closed twice for 12 hours in March

The repairs to the Danube Bridge, connecting Bulgaria and Romania, have been partially halted , BNT reported. This was necessary due to the low temperatures in recent days in Ruse and the entire country.  It is expected that the repairs to the Danube..

published on 2/22/25 3:56 PM
Ski track in Valchi dol

The ski season has opened on the only track in Bulgaria's Varna region

The snow in Northeastern Bulgaria has made skiing possible at the end of February. Today, the ski season opened in Valchi Dol, where the only track in Varna Region is located. It is only 250 meters long, but the locals use it with pleasure, BNT..

published on 2/22/25 11:45 AM