Nfter the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant was temporarily shut down, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of further emergencies. “I would like to emphasize that the situation remains very risky and dangerous,” Zelenskyy said in a video address. On Thursday, the last two reactors still in operation at the nuclear power plant, which had been repeatedly fired upon, were shut down in an emergency. According to the report from Kyiv, both blocks are now connected to the power grid again.
The second reactor is also back online
Selenskyj reiterated his demand for an early visit by international experts and for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the nuclear power plant site. “Any repetition (…) will again bring the power plant to the brink of disaster,” he said, referring to the incident on Thursday.
Shortly before, the state operator Enerhoatom had announced that the second reactor block was back on the grid. “Today at 9:15 p.m. (8:15 p.m. CEST) the second block that was stopped yesterday was connected to the power grid,” the statement said. The blocks are now brought back to full power.
According to both sides, the reason for the emergency shutdown of two reactors was a damaged high-voltage line. Ukraine cited Russian artillery shelling as the cause. The occupiers spoke of a fire as the trigger for a short circuit. They did not say what caused the fire.
With a total of six blocks, Zaporizhia is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. In March it was captured by Russian troops. Since then, Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused each other of shelling the facility. Concerns about a nuclear catastrophe are growing internationally.
Ex-Kremlin boss Medvedev defends war
Meanwhile, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gave an interview to French TV channel LCI, justifying the war of aggression against Ukraine. “A special military operation is even being carried out to prevent World War III from happening,” Medvedev said in the fifteen-minute conversation. Regardless of the many civilian casualties, the current deputy head of the National Security Council called Russia’s actions in Ukraine “maximally gentle and moderate”.
Russia persistently presents the war against Ukraine, which it started itself at the end of February, as an allegedly necessary measure to protect its own population. to wage “a so-called proxy war against the Russian Federation”. Russia currently has no plans to use nuclear weapons. The 56-year-old is considered a confidante of Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin. He is an ardent supporter of war.
Baerbock ready to compromise on entry restrictions for Russians
In the debate about restricting the entry of Russian tourists into the EU, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock signaled her willingness to compromise. The Federal Chancellery and the Federal Foreign Office agree on the goal “that we find a solution together in Europe that brings together everyone’s legitimate concerns and concerns,” said Baerbock at a joint press conference with her Danish counterpart Jeppe Kofod in Copenhagen.
The EU countries Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia bordering Russia, as well as the Czech Republic, have already restricted the entry of Russian tourists. Finland wants to follow in September. Other countries such as Poland are also in favor of restricting the issuing of visas. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far expressed skepticism.
That’s going to be important today
In southern Ukraine, the situation around the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant is likely to remain tense. In addition, the Ukrainian General Staff reports ongoing Russian attacks in the eastern Donetsk region.