Russian forces have seized a nuclear plant in Ukraine that caught fire from extensive shelling, although the blaze was put out early Friday, authorities said.
Ukrainian officials and the International Atomic Energy Agency said radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remained within normal limits and the fire had occurred at a training building, according to the U.K. Ministry of Defence.
“We condemn the attacks on civilians, and over the night we have also seen reports about the attack against a nuclear power plant,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at the start of a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Brussels, Belgium. “This just demonstrates the recklessness of this war and the importance of ending it and the importance of Russia withdrawing all its troops and [engaging] in good faith in diplomatic efforts.”
Both men underscored the need to pressure Russia and assist Ukraine, which is not a part of NATO, without getting drawn into Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked assault on its neighbor.
“Every ally in one way or another is coming to Ukraine’s assistance. Every ally in one way or another is helping to strengthen NATO itself,” Mr. Blinken said. “And as the secretary-general said, ours is a defensive alliance. We seek no conflict. But if conflict comes to us, we are ready for it, and we will defend every inch of NATO territory.”
The U.K. agency said the city of Mariupol, a key southern city on the Sea of Azov, remains under Ukrainian control but has been circled by Russian forces.
“The city’s civilian infrastructure has been subjected to intense Russian strikes,” it said.
The mayor of the city said strikes cut off power, water and heat.
Reports of civilian heartache are mounting as Mr. Putin’s war enters its second week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country is documenting atrocities and he welcomed the U.N. Human Rights Council’s decision to set up an International Commission of Inquiry into potential Russian war crimes.
“Evidence will be documented and used in international courts. Russian war criminals will be held accountable,” he tweeted.
Mr. Zelenskyy also said he spoke to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida about the overall situation and attack on the nuclear power plant.
“We both agree on the gravity of threats to global security,” Mr. Zelenskyy tweeted.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.