If an explosion occurs as a result of Russian soldiers shelling Europe's largest nuclear power plant, Ukraine's president has warned that it will be the "end of Europe."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave an emotional statement in the middle of the night, saying he feared an explosion at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which would be "the end for everyone." Europe has reached its nadir. "Europe is being evacuated."
"Only immediate European action will be able to stop Russian soldiers," he warned. "Do not allow Europe to perish as a result of a nuclear power plant disaster."
However, most analysts saw no signs of imminent tragedy.
The fire at the plant was put out just before 7.30 a.m. (5.30 a.m. UK), according to the Ukrainian emergency service, and leading nuclear authorities were concerned — but not terrified — about the facility's damage.
The incident prompted Mr. Zelensky to call US Vice President Joe Biden and other foreign leaders. As a precaution, the US Department of Energy activated its nuclear emergency response team.
The incident did not impact critical equipment, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Ukraine's nuclear authority reported no change in radiation levels.
According to the American Nuclear Society, the latest radiation levels were within normal background values.
The group claimed in a statement that "the true threat to Ukrainian life continues to be the brutal invasion and bombardment of their nation."
The plant's reactors have large concrete containment domes that should shield them from tank and artillery fire, according to Jon Wolfsthal, who served as the senior director for weapons control and nonproliferation at the National Security Council during the Obama administration.
He, too, was concerned about a possible power outage at the facility, which may jeopardise the reactor's ability to keep nuclear fuel cold.
Ukrainian soldiers were battling Russian troops on the outskirts of Enerhodar, according to the mayor. Flames and black smoke could be seen rising above the metropolis of more than 50,000 people, with people flowing past smashed automobiles on video.
Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine's prime minister, has asked the West to seal the skies over the country's nuclear power plants. "It's a matter of global security!" he declared in a statement.
A no-fly zone has been ruled out by the US and its Nato allies because it would pit Russian and Western military forces against each other.
Over the past few days, Vladimir Putin's forces have used their overwhelming firepower to conduct hundreds of missile and artillery raids on cities and other targets around the country, achieving substantial gains in the south.
The Russians announced the capture of Kherson, a 280,000-strong Black Sea port, and local Ukrainian officials verified the control of the city's government buildings, making it the first major city to fall since the assault began a week ago.
On the edges of another major port on the Azov Sea, Mariupol, heavy battle persisted. According to officials, the battles have knocked out the city's electricity, heat, and water services, as well as most phone service. The city's food delivery were also halted.
The assault was captured on film by the Associated Press in the port city, lighting up the darkening sky above abandoned streets and medical workers treating people, including a 16-year-old kid inside a clinic who was unable to be saved.
According to his father, who cradled the boy's head on the gurney and wailed, the toddler was playing soccer when he was wounded in the shelling.
Denying Ukraine access to the Black and Azov seas would cripple its economy and allow Russia to construct a land corridor to Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
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