Nuclear power plant staff averted ‘radiation disaster’ after blackout: Zelensky

Amid continuing row over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and the looming threat of a Chernobyl-type disaster, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said that alert Ukrainian staff at the nuclear plant were able to avert a "radiation accident".

"Russia has put Ukrainians as well as all Europeans one step away from radiation disaster," President Zelensky said, adding, "If our station staff had not reacted after the blackout, then we would have already been forced to overcome the consequences of a radiation accident."

Ukraine had informed earlier that electricity at the nuclear power plant was disconnected. Russia had taken control of the Zaporizhzhia plant soon after President Vladimir Putin had launched his "special military operation" against Ukraine. The plant is run by Ukrainian workers. IAEA has sought access to the site amid fears of a disastrous meltdown as both Russia and Ukraine continue to blame each other for shelling at the site causing damage to the plant.

Watch:Ukraine's largest nuclear plant cut off from power grid

Meanwhile, US President JoeBiden during a phone call with the Ukraine President said Russia should allow UN nuclear inspectors to visit the site.

The US had said that the electricity produced in the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant belongsto Ukraine while adding that "no country should turn a nuclear power plant into an active war zone". However, the US added that it hadn't detected any "abnormal radiation levels" at the plant.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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