Russia, Ukraine Trade Blame for Fire at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Image copyright: International Atomic Energy Agency via Wikimedia Commons

The Facts

  • Russia and Ukraine have traded blame for a fire that broke out at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) on Sunday. The plant has been under Russian control since the first weeks of the war.

  • In a post on social media, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: "the occupiers have started a fire on the territory of the ZNPP. As of now the radiation level is normal. However, as long as Russian terrorists remain in control of the nuclear power plant, the situation is not and cannot be normal."


The Spin

Pro-Ukraine narrative

Russia is responsible for the fire at the ZNPP. As long as Russia controls the ZNPP, it will continue to hold Ukraine and Europe hostage by threatening nuclear disaster. This was a provocation staged by Russia to remind them of that.

Pro-Russia narrative

A fire broke out at one of the ZNPP's cooling towers after Ukraine targeted the site with drones. While the fire was put out, it caused severe damage to the interior of the cooling tower and could have resulted in a much more catastrophic incident.


Metaculus Prediction


Public figures in this story


Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO