UN Security Council to hold urgent meeting after attack on nuclear plant in Ukraine

By Betul Yuruk

NEW YORK (AA) - The UN Security Council decided to hold an emergency meeting after Russia's attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

The meeting was requested by the UK, US, Albania, France, Ireland, and Norway, according to diplomatic sources.

Following night-long clashes near the city of Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine, Russia took control of Europe's largest nuclear power plant, Ukrainian authorities announced.

Following the developments, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced that the fire at the power plant "has not affected essential equipment."

- Among world’s 10 largest nuclear power plants

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, built between 1984 and 1995, is the largest in Europe, and also among the world’s 10 largest nuclear power plants.

Located in southeastern Ukraine near the city of Enerhodar, the plant generates 20% of Ukraine's electricity.

A total of six reactors, each with a net capacity of 950 megawatts, can supply energy to nearly 4 million households with a total electricity production of 5,700 megawatts.

Russia's war on Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, has been met with international outrage, with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

More than 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, according to the UN refugee agency.