Ukraine war: Russia ‘threatening all of Europe’ as nuclear plant attack sparks fire

A fire broke out in Europe's largest nuclear power plant as Russian forces attacked Enerhodar in Ukraine. A training building in the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was ablaze on Friday, March 4, during intense skirmishes between Ukrainian and Russian soldiers in the region. Security footage shows several flares of light falling onto the power plant's vicinity while it was apparently being shelled. Ukraine Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba warned that an explosion at the plant could cause severe damage. He said: 'Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broken out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chernobyl. 'Russians must immediately cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone!' Meanwhile, authorities said the facility was safe, and background radiation levels were stable. Oleksandr Starukh, head of the military administration of the Zaporizhzhia region, said: 'The director of the plant said that the nuclear safety is now guaranteed. According to those responsible for the plant, a training building and a laboratory were affected by the fire.' Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine’s Donbas region last week. He said in a public address on February 24: ‘We decided to launch a special military action aimed at demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine.’ Russia and Ukrainian officials began ceasefire talks on March 1 in the Republic of Belarus, a staunch Russian ally. Subscribe to the Evening Standard on YouTube:    / @thelondonstandard