The Ukrainian and Russian governments are both pointing the finger at each other as the Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex continues to be shelled during the ongoing war, according to a report.
The report from Reuters detailed claims as the battle between the two countries has created a cause for alarm internationally as damage to the plant could start a nuclear catastrophe.
United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres demanded that U.N. nuclear inspectors get the chance to examine Zaporizhzhia — the largest nuclear complex in Europe. Guterres continued, calling the attacks from either side “suicidal.”
The region of southern Ukraine, where the nuclear complex is located, was recently seized by invading Russian forces. The site was struck, and consequently, damage was caused to one of the reactors while the foreign army was taking the area, Reuters reported.
Now the region has become the target of Ukrainian shelling as the nation launches its counter-offensive attacks.
There have been calls to demilitarize the area around the complex. Ukraine has also requested that U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, enter the area to secure the complex, Reuters reported.
Russia has accused Ukraine of taking “Europe hostage” by shelling the plant, saying it supports the idea of bringing the agency in, but Kyiv has blocked it.
Ukrainian technicians are currently running the complex, and the nation has said the weekend attacks near it were Russian and damaged three radiation sensors while injuring two workers.
Petro Kotin, the head of Ukrainian nuclear power company Energoatom, shared with Reuters that there are currently 500 Russian soldiers and 50 pieces of heavy artillery outside the complex. However, he noted that it appears to still be operational.
The report from Reuters stated that it could not verify the claims from either side.
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