Russian shelling damaged Ukraine’s Nuclear Reactor, UN Chief demands access to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Monday for international inspectors to be given access to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant after Ukraine and Russia traded accusations over the shelling of Europe’s largest atomic plant at the weekend.

“Any attack on a nuclear plant is Suicidal,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned during a news conference in Japan.  He was attending the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the world’s first atomic bombing.

Russia & Ukraine blame each other for the latest strike at the Zaporizhzhia plant, the largest nuclear power site in Europe.  This site has been under Russian control since the early days of the Russia-Ukraine War.

The plant, built in the Soviet era, is the largest nuclear reactor in Europe. Its six pressurized water reactors (of which at least two are currently operating) are important to Kyiv as they can produce power for up to 4 Million homes.

The presence of the water-cooled reactors, as well as a spent fuel storage facility, on the large and sprawling site, has led Russia to use it as a so-called “sheltered” artillery park, using the facilities to fire on Ukrainian positions in the belief that Ukraine would not fire back and risk a nuclear accident.

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has accused the Russians of using the plant as a “nuclear shield” saying: “Of course, the Ukrainians cannot fire back lest there be a terrible accident involving the nuclear plant.”

Stay tuned for more updates.