Ukrainian President’s Claim About Radiation Leak Deemed False by the International Atomic Energy Agency & White House

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s assertion that Russia had shelled a nuclear plant and caused a radiation leak that could affect a large number of countries was deemed false and fact-checked by the White House.

QUICK FACTS:

• Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Thursday that Russians were targeting a nuclear power plant, according to Information Liberation.

Russian troops are shelling Europe’s largest nuclear power station in Ukraine.

“There is a real threat of nuclear danger in the biggest atomic energy station in Europe.”

The plant accounts for about one quarter of Ukraine’s power generation.https://t.co/lUcN9b1Fl6

— Meg Kinnard (@MegKinnardAP) March 4, 2022

• Zelensky’s emotional speech included details of an attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the city of Energodar.
• The Ukrainian president pleaded with Europeans to speak to their politicians and demand that Russia’s incursion be stopped immediately due to elevated levels of radiation being detected.

A government official tells The Associated Press elevated levels of radiation are being detected near the site of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which provides about 25% of the country’s power generation.

— Meg Kinnard (@MegKinnardAP) March 4, 2022

• The International Atomic Energy Agency and the White House both contradicted Zelensky’s claims, saying there has been no change in radiation levels at the site in question.

#Ukraine regulator tells IAEA there has been no change reported in #radiation levels at the #Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant site.

— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg) March 4, 2022

ZELENSKY’S STATEMENT:

• “Right now, Russian tanks are firing upon nuclear units,” Zelensky said. “These are tanks equipped with thermal imagers. That is, they know where they are shooting, they have been preparing for this!”
• He continued: “I appeal to all Ukrainians, to all Europeans … Wake up, please! Speak to your politicians! Russian troops are firing upon the nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the city of Energodar. There are six power units. Six! One power unit exploded in Chernobyl.”

March 4. With English subtitles. This morning, Pres. Zelenskyy made a statement regarding European support, and gave a morning address. Here's the statement re. Europe. Part 1 of 2. 205/ pic.twitter.com/liViyEFt57

— J. Paul Kirby (@JPaulKirby) March 4, 2022

• “The Russian military must be stopped immediately! Shout to your politicians. Ukraine has 15 nuclear units. If there is an explosion, it is the end of everything. The end of Europe. This is the evacuation of Europe. Only immediate European action can stop Russian troops. Do not allow the death of Europe from the catastrophe at the nuclear power plant!”

Two White House officials say their latest information shows no indications of elevated levels of radiation at the Zaporizhzhia complex. The White House is continuing to monitor it closely following President Biden’s call with Zelensky.

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) March 4, 2022

BACKGROUND:

• Zelensky has been pushing sympathetic nations to enact a no-fly zone over his country, which would give him a strategic leg up in fending off Russians, as reported by the Express UK.
• The White House and other NATO countries have backed away from the idea with The New York Post reporting that Biden “won’t commit” to enforcing the zone.