Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Western governments to implement heavier sanctions on Russian government and energy interests after the Russian military conducted a sustained artillery attack on the area containing the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station, the largest nuclear power generating station in Europe, Politico reports.
“Talked with @eucopresident Charles Michel, told about the situation on the battlefield, in particular at the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Russian nuclear terror requires a stronger response from the international community – sanctions on the Russian nuclear industry and nuclear fuel,” Zelenskyy posted on Twitter. “Positively assessed the start of grain export by sea. Coordinated preparations for the Crimea Platform Summit and other events. Emphasized the importance of unblocking the package of macro-financial assistance for Ukraine as soon as possible.”
This isn’t the first time Zelenskyy has called for action against Russia for targeting nuclear stations. Soon after the February invasion, Russia took over the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site, sickening thousands of their soldiers and leading to fears of radiation leakage because the Russians didn’t know how to manage the site. An errant shell at Zaporizhzhia would contaminate an area where hundreds of thousands live and knock out power to millions in and around Ukraine.