Europe's largest nuclear power plant is reportedly on fire after an alleged attack by Russian troops. The mayor of the Ukrainian town of Energodar said the fire had broken out on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant following a Russian strike.
In a post on social media, Mayor Dmytro Orlov claimed that the nuclear power plant had caught fire following the continuous shelling of buildings near the facility. He claimed that the fire could pose a threat to both Ukraine and the rest of the world. No other sources have yet verified his claims of an immediate threat to the nuclear power plant.
Orlov did not give any further details about the fire or if there was any danger of possible meltdown. He did mention that fierce fighting was still ongoing, and there had been numerous casualties on both sides.
As the war enters its ninth day, thousands of soldiers and civilians are now thought to have been killed in various skirmishes throughout Ukraine. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is the largest attack on a European country since World War II. Millions of Ukrainians have fled the country, and more are now in peril due to the ongoing violence.
Russia claims that its "special operation" in Ukraine is not an invasion but a campaign to destroy "dangerous nationalists" who are a threat to the country's national security. Russia has already occupied a large portion of the country but is forces are facing strong opposition from the Ukrainian military. Russia denies that it is targeting civilians.
The U.S., Europe, and other major countries have already imposed waves of economic sanctions against Russia, severely impacting its economy. The Russian stock exchange plunged by more than 50%, forcing the government to temporarily suspend trading to stop investors from selling their stocks. The Russian ruble dropped to its lowest point ever following the imposition of the economic sanctions.
On Thursday, the U.S. and the U.K. announced the implementation of new sanctions targeting Russian oligarchs, who are believed to be enabling Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine.
Domestic assets such as luxury yachts, properties, and bank accounts of known oligarchs within Putin's circle were seized by authorities, including those owned by Russian tycoon Alisher Usmanov - the founder of the mining giant Metalloinvest.
Apart from seizing their assets, the U.S. and the U.K. have also imposed visa restrictions on 19 Russian oligarchs, including their immediate family members and known associates, to limit their movements.
