KIEV — Ukrainian authorities have denied a report in pro-Kremlin media that a radioactive leak had taken place at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant, Europe's largest.
Life News newswire published documents which it said came from Ukraine's Emergency Situations Ministry and showed that a leak at the power plant had led to a spike in radiation over the past two days exceeding permitted norms by 16 times.
Three officials from Ukraine's Emergency Situations Ministry, Energy Ministry and the plant itself told Reuters on Tuesday there had been no leak.
"The plant works normally, there have been no accidents," an Energy Ministry official said. The officials could not comment on whether the documents published by Life News were authentic. Reuters was not able to verify the documents independently.
Russia and Ukraine's relations have hit rock bottom since Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and was accused by the West of sending troops to east Ukraine to support a rebellion against Kiev.
In the nuclear sphere, Moscow and Kiev are at odds over supplies on nuclear fuel after Ukraine said it wanted to replace some Russian supplies with fuel from U.S. firm Westinghouse. Moscow said the move would put the safety of Ukrainians and Europe in general in danger.
Earlier this month, Ukrainian authorities reported an accident at the plant but said it represented no danger to health or the environment.
An explosion and fire at Ukraine's Chernobyl power plant in 1986, the world's worst nuclear accident, was caused by human error and a series of blasts sent a cloud of radioactive dust billowing across northern and western Europe.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
