Russian Attack on Ukrainian Nuclear Facility
March 4, 2022

- Last night, after shelling by Russian forces, a fire broke out at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, the largest in Europe, and supplies more than 20% of Ukraine’s electricity.
- While the fire was isolated to a training area, firefighters were able to contain the fire before it spread to the nuclear reactors and there were no signs of radiation leaks.
- While the staff is still running the plant operations, Russian forces now control the facility.
- While this incident could have been much worse, NATO is still rejecting the concept of a “no-fly zone” over Ukraine for fear of a broader conflict.
- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he will seek an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting.
- Currently, Kyiv is still under siege and Kharkiv is under heavy aerial bombardment.
- Russian forces have taken Kherson and are moving toward Mykolaiv in an effort to take control of the Black Sea coast and potentially cut Ukraine off from international shipping.
- Russian forces are also preparing for an amphibious assault as part of a plan to attack Odessa.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be in Europe for the next week, traveling to Poland, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia to assure allies of U.S. support.