Energodar administration claims Ukraine's military now shelling Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

military-civilian ministration of Energodar in its Telegram channel announced that Armed Forces of Ukraine have been shelling Energodar for an hour using massive artillery fire and that several explosions have been recorded in area of ​​ Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Ivanovka came under fire for second time in a day, ministration claimed. Vlimir Rogov, a member of main council of military-civilian ministration of Zaporizhzhia region, accused Ukraine's army of shelling nuclear plant, according to Tass, although claims could not be verified independently.  

"Today, August 15, from opposite side of Dnieper, fire was again opened on civilians and civilian infrastructure of city of Energodar. For more than an hour, terrorists of Armed Forces of Ukraine have been conducting massive fire from artillery installations," military-civilian ministration of Energodar announced on Telegram. 

'Dangerous situation' at Zaporizhzhia NPP: UNSC

UN Security Council h called to discuss dangerous situation about  Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant's safety with  he of its nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, saying that it is a "grave hour".UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned troops on both sides to halt firing and suggested declaring a demilitarized zone warning that any shelling could "le to disaster". "Fighting near a nuclear plant is dangerous and irresponsible," a state department spokesperson said.

Ukraine accused Russia of turning nuclear plant that it captured in March into a military base. At least 42 countries, including EU, h asked Russia to withdraw its troops from Zaporizhzhia plant, reiterating that war near facility could le to safety hazards and disrupt safe operation of nuclear plant. 

"We urge Russian Federation to immediately withdraw its military forces and all or unauthorised personnel from Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, its immediate surroundings, and all of Ukraine so that operator and Ukrainian authorities can resume ir sovereign responsibilities within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and legitimate operating staff can conduct ir duties without outside interference, threat, or unacceptably harsh working conditions," a statement from countries re. 

United Nations h also earlier suggested felicitating  visit of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant if both Russia and Ukraine agree. UN chief Antonio Guterres stated that in  past few days, re have been repeated allegations by various Russian officials accusing United Nations Secretariat of having eir cancelled or blocked a visit by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

“ UN Secretariat has no authority to block or cancel any IAEA activities,” UN's director general iterated in a statement me by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, ding that if both warring nations agree, UN can arrange  logistics and security and make a visit possible.