A “catastrophe” at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhia nuclear plant would threaten all of Europe, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky warned on Monday.
“Under cover of the plant, the occupants are shelling neighboring cities and communities,” Zelensky said in his daily video message.
“Any radiation incident at the Zaporizhia plant can affect countries of the European Union, Turkey, Georgia and more distant countries. Everything will depend on the direction and speed of the wind,” she added.
He noted that “if Russian actions cause a catastrophe, the consequences will also affect those who have remained silent”.
Zelensky called on the international community to adopt “new tough sanctions against Russia” and not give in to their “nuclear blackmail”.
“All Russian forces must be withdrawn from the plant and neighboring areas without conditions,” he said.
the plant, the largest nuclear facility in Europe, was taken over by Russian troops in early March, shortly after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.
Since the end of July, Zaporizhia has been the target of several military actions, while Moscow and kyiv blame each other for the bombing.
The fighting at the plant has raised fears of a possible nuclear catastrophe, and was the subject of an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday.
Ukraine accuses Russia of using the plant as a base for possible attacks and to store weapons.
