Russia entrenches itself in a nuclear power plant and fires missiles from there. The population is desperate – and lives in great concern.
Nikopol – Russian troops have entrenched themselves in a nuclear power plant. The nuclear power plant is located near the Ukrainian city of Nikopol. According to a Seattle Times report, Ukraine is unable to use its rocket launchers because one of the six water reactors, which contain radioactive material, could explode. It is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, as reported by the New York Times .
“They hide there so they don’t get hit,” said Oleksandr Sayuk, mayor of Nikopol. “Why else would you be there? To use the nuclear power plant as a shield, which is very dangerous,” he added. Because of the danger, many residents have already left Nikopol.
News about the Ukraine war: Russia’s troops entrench themselves in a nuclear power plant
“We feel like condemned prisoners,” said a local resident whose home was destroyed by Russian artillery. Since March 4, Russian troops have been entrenched in the power plant and have been firing rockets from there for the past three weeks.
Because of the fighting, concerns are growing that a nuclear catastrophe could occur. At the beginning of March, Russia took over the former Chernobyl power plant, but has since left it again. Dmytro Orlov, mayor of the city of Enerhodar, who lives in exile, said that the reactor’s boiler could be destroyed with a powerful weapon.
News about the Ukraine war: nuclear meltdown and nuclear catastrophe like in Chernobyl possible
If that happens, a meltdown or an explosion like what happened in Chernobyl is possible, Orliv said. As the New York Times and Seattle Times report, the Ukrainian officers apparently have no qualms about attacking targets around two miles from the reactor.
“It’s getting uncomfortable for the Russian military. They now understand that here they will not be in Ukraine forever. Soon they will either die or surrender to Ukraine,” said Petro Kotkin, president of nuclear energy company Energoatom.
Ukraine War News: “Don’t Expect Fairness When You Fight Russia”
Serhiy Shatalov, Colonel of the Ukrainian Infantry, asked: “How should we react? This is nuclear area. Don’t expect fairness in war, especially when you’re fighting Russia,” he said. (mse)
