Strike renews fear of 'nuclear terrorism'

Ukrainian authorities denounced a missile strike near a nuclear plant Monday, calling it an act of "nuclear terrorism."

Hi, it's Julius with an update on Ukraine. 

The Russian missile struck close to the Pivdennoukrainsk plant, Ukraine’s second-largest after the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has repeatedly come under fire.

The missile made impact within less than 1,000 feet of the reactors at the nuclear station, blasting a crater 6 1/2 feet deep and 13 feet across, according to Ukrainian nuclear operator Energoatom. The strike did not damage any of the three reactors but hit other industrial equipment. 

The reactors were operating normally and no staff members were injured, the agency said. But the proximity of the strike renewed fears the nearly seven-month-long war in Ukraine might produce a radiation disaster.

Following recent battlefield setbacks, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened last week to step up attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. Throughout the war, Russia has targeted Ukraine’s electricity generation and transmission equipment, causing blackouts and endangering the safety systems of the country’s nuclear power plants.

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