zaporizhzhia

Russia unleashed a major overnight assault on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Dnipro, hours after President Zelenskyy's warning. Fatalities and injuries were reported in Dnipro, with fears of people trapped in Kyiv's rubble. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone strike claimed a civilian life in Russia's Kursk region. Peace efforts remain stalled amidst escalating cross-border attacks.

Russia unleashed a significant overnight assault, deploying hundreds of drones and missiles across Ukraine, resulting in at least five fatalities and widespread damage. Critical energy infrastructure was hit, impacting power links to Europe. This escalation follows Ukrainian warnings of impending large-scale attacks, with both nations reporting intensified cross-border strikes recently.

Rafael Grossi, head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency, is visiting Ukraine to address safety concerns at the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Recent artillery shelling damaged one of its external power lines, posing a significant risk. Grossi aims to prevent a potential nuclear accident during his visit.

UKRAINE-CRISIS-Fighting erupts as Ukrainian troops deploy near zaporizhzhia nuclear plant - Russian-backed official

Authorities in the Ukrainian city of zaporizhzhia near Europe's largest nuclear plant, under Russian control, said Thursday they are preparing for the "worst" as fears of sabotage mount. Kyiv and Moscow accused each other this week of planning an incident at the plant, which fell to Russian forces at the start of their invasion launched in February last year.

Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of shelling the zaporizhzhia plant, the biggest atomic power station in Europe, which has been under Russian control since March. The tensions around the facility have sparked fears of another nuclear disaster in Europe like the one in Chernobyl in then Soviet Ukraine in 1986.

In Ukraine's zaporizhzhia region, shelling by Ukraine's military led to 8 tragic deaths, including 2 children, in Tokmak town. 18 individuals were injured during the incident. Five houses were partially destroyed. The events, reported by Russian-appointed officials, could not be independently verified.

Management at the Russian-held zaporizhzhia nuclear power station reported that Ukrainian forces attacked a nearby electricity substation, destroying a transformer. The plant, Europe's largest with six reactors, has been under Russian control since early 2022. Both sides frequently accuse each other of targeting the facility, heightening tensions and risks around this critical infrastructure.

The detained chief of Ukraine's Russian-held nuclear power plant has been released, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said Monday. zaporizhzhia -- Europe's largest nuclear energy facility -- has been at the centre of recent tensions after Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of strikes on and near the plant, raising fears of an atomic disaster.