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Fears Putin plans to blow up Europe's biggest nuke station as troops evacuated

01 July 2023 , 18:23
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Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant could be exploded by Putin (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant could be exploded by Putin (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Unhinged warmonger Vladimir Putin is planning on exploding Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant, as he gave the order for Russians to evacuate the area.

Enemy troops have held the Zaporizhzhia plant since the early days of the invasion of Ukraine, arriving around a month after the war began.

Last month Yevgeny Balitsky, governor of the partially-occupied province, ordered civilians from 18 settlements to leave the area - including Enerhodar, where most of the power station's staff live.

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian president, warned today a “serious threat” remains in place at the plant, fuelling fears of a nuclear emergency which would dwarf Chernobyl’s 1986 disaster.

Fears Putin plans to blow up Europe's biggest nuke station as troops evacuated eiqrrideziuzprwRussian President Vladimir Putin (SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

He told a news conference: “ Russia is technically ready to provoke a local explosion at the station that could cause an emission of dangerous substances in the air.

Putin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of eventsPutin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of events

"We are clearly communicating, we discussed the need with our partners so everyone understands why Russia is doing this."

Ukraine have previously claimed invaders have placed mines around the plant.

Fears Putin plans to blow up Europe's biggest nuke station as troops evacuatedUkrainian emergency teams prepare for a nuclear disaster (Ukrinform/REX/Shutterstock)

Kremlin soldiers have used the plant as a military base since they took it last year, using its position to storing weapons and launch attacks on Ukrainian cities nearby.

Emergency teams in Zaporizhzhia have been holding drills where they have issued iodine tablets and established evacuation routes for civilians in the event of an emergency at the power station.

Fears Putin plans to blow up Europe's biggest nuke station as troops evacuatedA Ukrainian emergency worker wearing radiation protection suit (AP)

The evacuation has since prompted an announcement from the head of the ' nuclear watchdog, who expressed growing concern about the safety of the Zaporizhzhia power station.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Grossi said previously: "The general situation in the area near the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant is becoming increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

"I'm extremely concerned about the very real nuclear safety and security risks facing the plant."

Writing on Telegram, Ivan Fedorov, the exiled Ukrainian mayor of Melitopol, said there was "a mad panic and no less mad queues".

He added: "The partial evacuation they announced is going too fast, and there is a possibility that they may be preparing for provocations and (for that reason) focusing on civilians.

"We must act now to prevent the threat of a severe nuclear accident and its associated consequence for the population and the environment.

Catholics across the world pray for Pope Benedict XVI as his body lies in stateCatholics across the world pray for Pope Benedict XVI as his body lies in state

“"This major nuclear facility must be protected. I will continue to press for a commitment by all sides to achieve this vital objective."

Antony Clements-Thrower

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