Russians Occupy Zaporizhia Nuclear Plant – Mariupol Surrounded – Large Russian Attack on Nikolaev

LAST UPDATE: 15:12

Kyiv and Mariupol are currently surrounded by Russian troops. After Hersonissos, the Russians are one step ahead of Nikolaev’s occupation, on the shores of the Black Sea, leaving Odessa stranded and on alert, as the last target will remain. At the same time, from Melitopolis, Russian forces are coming to Zaporizhia, where they occupied the nuclear plant. Meanwhile, in Donetsk and Lugansk, separatist forces with the assistance of the Russian army are advancing at the expense of the Ukrainian army.

Mariupol

Mariupol, the port city in southeastern Ukraine, is still under siege and under heavy fire, but remains under Ukrainian control, the Pentagon said in a statement.

“Mariupol remains under Ukrainian control, but has probably been surrounded by Russian forces,” according to the British Ministry of Defense. “The city’s urban infrastructure is being hit hard by Russian forces,” he added.

The city’s deputy mayor said she was “surrounded” by Russian forces and was in desperate need of military and humanitarian assistance.

Nikolaev

“The occupiers stopped in the direction of Nikolaev, but were partially successful in the direction of Voznesensk,” the Ukrainian government said, adding that ” from places of execution for organizing riots in the Nikolaev area “.

Russian troops advancing on the southern Ukrainian city of Nikolaev have stopped so far, said an adviser to the Ukrainian president, just before 13.00 Greek time. The announcement comes shortly after the local mayor said Russian troops were entering the critical Black Sea port.

As can be seen from the map below, Nikolaev’s occupation would move Russian troops closer to the main port of Odessa.

Odessa

Russian troops are also advancing on Odessa, a city on the south coast of strategic importance.

Kyiv

Russian troops are moving north from Kyiv, bypassing cities that are already under heavy bombardment and fighting such as Chernihiv and Sumi – and the concern is that the capital of Ukraine, Russia’s ultimate prize in this invasion, could soon be in a state of disarray. New videos posted on social media show the horrific consequences of Russian military raids that hit an apartment complex in the northern city of Chernihiv on Thursday. At least 47 people were killed and 18 others were rescued, Ukrainian authorities said.

In the direction of Polisiya, northeast of Kiev, a group of Russians consisting of military units of the Eastern Military District with forces of up to fifteen BTG is conducting an offensive operation in the Kozarovichi, Vishkhorod, Fastiv, Obrukhovich, Obuthevichi

The Russians left Gostomel airport, the Ukrainian government said in an official statement.

Kharkiv

In northeastern Ukraine, 34 civilians were killed by Russian attacks in the Kharkiv region within 24 hours, emergency services said. The mayor of Kharkov said the Russian army was “deliberately trying to exterminate the Ukrainian people” as it targeted political areas.

In the direction of Slobozansky, a group of troops from the Western Military District with forces of up to sixteen BTGs is conducting an offensive operation, focusing its efforts in the direction of Novomoskovsk.

According to the Ukrainian government, Kharkov was cordoned off from the north and the town of Balaklegia was occupied.

Λβιβ

In the Volyn region, north of Lviv, the Russians, with the help of two BTGs, moved into defense operations in the Poliske and Kouhari areas.

Nuclear nightmare

The 9th day of the Russian offensive in Ukraine began with the nightmare of a new Chernobyl, as a fire broke out at the nuclear plant in Zaporizhia, the largest in Europe, in central Ukraine, which was hit today during the bombing of the Russian army. Kyiv, however, assures that the security of the facility is “guaranteed”, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accusing Vladimir Putin and Moscow of “nuclear terrorism”.

The Russian Defense Ministry on Friday accused “Ukrainian saboteurs” of attacking the nuclear power plant site, calling the move a “monstrous provocation”.

Several people were killed or injured in the fire that broke out in the Russian bombing of a nuclear power plant in Ukraine, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, shortly after 14:30 Greek time, without giving a number.

What happened and what are the risks:

When did the fire start? Ukrainian authorities said at around 2:30 a.m. local time on Friday that a fire had broken out at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Enerkhodar in southeastern Ukraine. The plant is the largest of its kind in Ukraine and includes six of the country’s 15 nuclear reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

When did the fire stop? The Ukrainian State Emergency Service said the fire in the factory training building was extinguished at 6.20 a.m.

How serious is the situation? The fire has not affected any “necessary” equipment and personnel are taking steps to mitigate any damage, the IAEA said, citing Ukrainian authorities. Chancellor Olaf Solz appeared reassuring after a communication he had, he said, at night with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

Is there an increase in radiation? No – Nuclear regulators and governments in the United States and Ukraine say levels of radioactivity seem normal.

What are the risks? The worst case scenario would be if a fire or attack reached the reactors, disrupting their cooling system and causing them to melt, releasing large amounts of radioactivity. However, Graham Allison, a professor at Belfer Center at Harvard University, told CNN early Friday that “not all fires in a power plant have catastrophic consequences.”

Ukraine’s emergency services said one of the six nuclear power plants was operational by early Friday.

The nuclear power plant was occupied

Russian military forces have finally taken over the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the regional state administration said. “Operational personnel are monitoring the situation of the power units,” he said on social media, citing the Ukrainian nuclear inspectorate. He said efforts are focused on ensuring that businesses comply with security requirements.

Ukraine said Russian forces attacked the plant in the early hours of Friday, setting fire to an adjacent five-storey training facility.

Growing humanitarian crisis

The UN estimates that more than 10 million people may end up fleeing their homes in Ukraine, including 4 million who may cross the border into neighboring countries. More than 1 million have already fled.

Zelensky: They were preparing this attack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a post on Facebook early Friday, accused Russia of deliberately firing at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.

“Russian tanks are shooting atomic blocks equipped with thermal imaging devices. They know what they are shooting at. They were preparing for it (attack),” he wrote in a post, according to CNN.

G. Stoltenberg: The attack in Zaporizhia shows the “recklessness” of the Moscow war

The attack on the nuclear power zone demonstrates the “recklessness” of the war started by Moscow and the need to end it, said today the Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenbergattending the Extraordinary Summit of NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels.

“We condemn the attacks on civilians,” Stoltenberg said, noting that NATO foreign ministers are meeting regularly today to exchange views on the response to the “brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine and its long-term consequences.” “.

Three assassination attempts on Zelensky last week

Ukrainian President Zelensky escaped at least three assassination attempts against him last week, The Times of London reports.

According to the same report, the assassination plans were thwarted as Russians, who are opposed to the war, provided information to the Ukrainian authorities. The Times also reports that the Wagner group was behind the assassination attempt. In case of success, in fact, Moscow could deny any direct involvement in the plan to assassinate Zelensky.

Lukashenko: We are not involved in the war

Belarussian leader Alexander Lukashenko has said on Friday that the Belarusian armed forces are not and will not take part in “Russia’s military operation in Ukraine”, as he called it, according to what was broadcast by Reuters.