Russia-Ukraine war live updates: Nuclear power plant fire stopped as Putin’s forces attack

A nuclear power plant fire in Ukraine has been stopped after it came under fierce attack by Russian forces, with a warning that if it blows up “it will be 10 times larger than Chernobyl”.

The fire at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant has been extinguished, Ukrainian emergency services said Friday, after Kyiv blamed Russian military shelling for the blaze.

Ukraine’s emergency services said it was able to put out the fire after the Russian military eventually allowed rescuers to access the site.

“At 06:20 (04:20 GMT) the fire in the training building of Zaporizhzhia NPP in Energodar was extinguished. There are no victims,” the emergency services said in a statement on Facebook.

Russia has intensified strikes across the country, with fresh reports of civilian casualties and devastating damage, even as Moscow agreed to a Ukrainian request for humanitarian corridors to allow terrified residents to flee.

There was no immediate clarity on how they would work, and no sign of any move towards a ceasefire, with Ukraine’s President Volodymr Zelensky urging the West to step up military assistance and “give me planes.”

On Friday morning, Europe’s largest nuclear plant was on fire after Russian attack that hit its power unit, the facility’s spokesman said.

“As a result of shelling by Russian forces on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, a fire broke out,” spokesman Andrei Tuz said in a video posted on the plant’s Telegram account.

The plant’s power unit had been hit, he added, as Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for an immediate halt to fighting at the site.

Live feed grab of firefight and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as Russian forces attack in Ukraine. Picture: Supplied

Fear grows as Russian forces surround Ukraine’s biggest nuclear plant. Picture: Supplied

“Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broke out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chornobyl! Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone! (sic),” he tweeted.

A live feed of the site earlier appeared to show blasts at the site, with fire lighting up the night sky and plumes of rising smoke.

Earlier the International Atomic Energy Agency had raised the alarm after Russian troops entered the nearby town of Enerhodar in southern Ukraine.

Fear grows as Russian forces surround Ukraine’s biggest nuclear plant. Picture: Supplied

Live feed of firefight and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as Russian forces attack in the Ukraine. Picture: Supplied

IAEA director Rafael Mariano Grossi urged an “immediate halt to the use of force at Enerhodar and called on the military forces operating there to refrain from violence near the nuclear power plant”, the agency said in a statement.

Ukrainian forces have been battling to keep control of Europe’s biggest power plant after Vladimir Putin’s forces escalated their efforts to seize the site in southern Ukraine.

Taking control of the plant – which produces a quarter of Ukraine’s total electricity supply – would be a major strategic victory for Russia, and a huge psychological blow for the Ukrainian forces.

Fear grows as Russian forces surround Ukraine’s biggest nuclear plant. Picture: Supplied

Workers at the plant in Enerhodar, 53km southwest of Ukraine’s sixth-biggest city Zaporizhzhia, fear severe damage to the installation could trigger a nuclear disaster.

Government officials described the situation as “alarming”, and said Russian troops were entering the area where plant workers live.

Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed the Russian government had informed the agency that its troops had taken control of the area around the Zaporizhzhia plant in southeastern Ukraine.

Enerhodar Mayor Dmytro Orlov posted video of bombing near nuclear power plant. Picture: Dmytro Orlov

Enerhodar Mayor Dmytro Orlov posted video of bombing near nuclear power plant. Picture: Dmytro Orlov

In their letter to the IAEA, Russian officials insisted Ukrainian staff at the plant were continuing to “work on providing nuclear safety and monitoring radiation in normal mode of operation”.

Russia has already captured the defunct Chernobyl plant, some 100 km north of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a tweet that it was “aware of reports of shelling” at the power plant and was in contact with Ukrainian authorities about situation.

Video footage shared on social media by a Ukrainian official showed brave Ukrainians forming a human barricade in front of the nuclear plant to prevent Russian troops from seizing it and creating “a new Chernobyl”.

Enerhodar’s mayor Dmytro Orlov has urged people not to leave their homes and warned a major Russian convoy was approaching the city.

Enerhodar, on the left bank of the Dnieper River and the Khakovka Reservoir, is a major energy hub, and the nuclear plant accounts for a quarter of Ukraine’s total power generation.

Enerhodar Mayor Dmytro Orlov posted video of bombing near nuclear power plant. Picture: Dmytro Orlov

A Ukrainian spokesperson previously warned Mr Putin’s actions “could lead to another nuclear disaster, affecting the entire world.”

“The city of Enerhodar, housing the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, is preparing for a battle with the invaders,” they said.

“If shells hit near the nuclear power plant, they will damage transformers, turbines, and other equipment that ensures the plant‘s safety.

“To prevent this from happening, the entrance to Enerhodar is guarded by the brave station workers and military.”

Ukrainian soldiers unload weapons, northeast of Kyiv. Picture: AFP

Government official Anton Gerashchenko said Ukrainians would fight to the last man to defend one of the country's main energy sources.

“The city where the largest nuclear power plant in Europe is located is preparing for a battle with the invaders,” he said.

“The nuclear power plant is guarded by the heroes of the National Guard of Ukraine.

“They won't give up! There will be a fight. Shells will fire next to the nuclear power plant.

“They will not be able to break through the concrete shell of the reactor, but they will definitely damage transformers, turbines and other equipment necessary for the safety of the nuclear power plant.”

Originally published as Russia-Ukraine war live updates: Nuclear power plant fire stopped as Putin’s forces attack