Russia has ordered the evacuation of families with children and the elderly from southern Ukraine due to an increase in shelling from the Ukrainian side. The head of the Zaporizhzhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky, wrote on social media that “There will be a temporary evacuation” from 18 places, including the town of Energodar where the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is located. The plant is Europe’s biggest and has been held by Russia since the first day of the conflict and is now near the front line, causing international concern.
Ukraine has been preparing an offensive against Russian forces for months and some analysts say sabotage attacks and long-distance strikes behind Russian lines in recent days show it is now imminent. This has caused concern for the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
This photo shows a general view of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar, Zaporizhzhia Oblast amid the ongoing Russian military action in Ukraine. (AFP)
