US sees no heightened radiation at Ukraine nuclear plant amid shelling

WASHINGTON

US monitors have detected no evidence of increased radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) as Ukraine and Russia exchange blame for recent shelling there, the State Department said Thursday.

The Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration has continued to receive data from the site "and thankfully we have seen no indications of increased or abnormal radiation levels," according to a State Department spokesperson who spoke to Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity.

The department voiced deep concern, however, about reports that power lines at the site of Europe's largest nuclear facility have been damaged, saying "Russia’s actions around ZNPP are the height of irresponsibility, and these reports underscore the urgency of the situation at the plant."

"Fighting near a nuclear plant is dangerous and irresponsible – and we continue to call on Russia to cease all military operations at or near Ukrainian nuclear facilities and return full control to Ukraine," the spokesperson said in an email exchange.

Russia is currently in control of the facility after seizing it and the surrounding areas from Ukraine in March.

Echoing an appeal made earlier Thursday by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the State Department also urged Russia to allow officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency to be granted access to the site "as soon as possible" to ensure its safety.

The Zaporizhzhia station is Europe's largest nuclear power plant, producing around 20% of Ukraine's electricity.

Russia took control of the facility on March 4, roughly two weeks after beginning its offensive against Ukraine in late February.