Europe's largest nuclear power plant on fire after Russian attack, says local mayor

Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Courtesy of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Facebook Page" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/overseas/03/04/20220304-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Courtesy of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Facebook Page</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>BORODYANKA/LVIV, Ukraine—The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the largest of its kind in Europe, was on fire early on Friday after an attack by Russian troops, the mayor of the nearby town of Energodar said.</p><p>There has been fierce fighting between local forces and Russian troops, Dmytro Orlov said in an online post, adding that there had been casualties without giving details.</p><p>Earlier, Ukrainian authorities reported Russian troops were stepping up efforts to seize the plant and had entered the town with tanks.</p><p>&quot;As a result of continuous enemy shelling of buildings and units of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is on fire,&quot; Orlov said on his Telegram channel, citing what he called a threat to world security. He did not give details.</p><p>Reuters could not immediately verify the information, including the potential seriousness of any fire.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/03/04/22/putin-russian-military-advance-going-to-plan">Putin: Russian military advance in Ukraine going ‘to plan’</a></li></ul><p>The invasion of Ukraine is entering its ninth day. Thousands are thought to have died or been wounded as the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two unfolds, creating 1 million refugees, hits to Russia&#x27;s economy, and fears of wider conflict in the West unthought-of for decades.</p><p>Russia has already captured the defunct Chernobyl plant, some 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Ukraine&#x27;s capital, Kyiv.</p><p>On Thursday, the United States and Britain announced sanctions on more oligarchs, following on from EU measures, as they ratcheted up the pressure on the Kremlin.</p><p>Included was Russian tycoon Alisher Usmanov, the founder of mining company Metalloinvest.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/03/03/22/un-all-of-humanity-at-risk-from-nuclear-threat">‘All of humanity’ at risk from nuclear threat over Ukraine, says UN</a></li></ul><p>Visa restrictions will be imposed on 19 Russian oligarchs, their family members and associates, the White House said.</p><p>Sanctions have &quot;had a profound impact already,&quot; said US President Joe Biden.</p><p>Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a &quot;special operation&quot; that is not designed to occupy territory but to destroy its neighbor&#x27;s military capabilities and capture what it regards as dangerous nationalists. It denies targeting civilians.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/03/04/22/kyiv-moscow-agree-on-evacuation-corridors">Kyiv, Moscow agree on evacuation corridors in Ukraine war</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/siTxSafjXLE?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the largest of its kind in Europe, was on fire early on Friday after an attack by Russian troops.