Officials from both the Ukrainian and Russian governments have warned that an attack at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant was imminent, panicking residents and international observers, with the United Nations calling an attack at the site “suicide,” the Washington Post reports.
For days, Ukrainian officials have warned civilians around the plant to evacuate as they’ve received intelligence reports of Russian troop and equipment movements into the plant’s proximity. On Thursday, the local Russian military commander told the imported Russian crew managing the plant to stay home Friday, saying there was likely going to be fighting at or around the plant. So far, however, only scattered unrest has been reported in the area.
International observers believe the Russians are planning to disconnect the plant from the power grid. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhia produces 5,700 MW, accounting for around 20% of the electrical power in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge him to accept a proposal by the International Atomic Energy Agency, which Ukraine has already endorsed, to put the plant under IAEA control and designate the area around the plant a