“Terrorist state has resorted to nuclear terror. If there’s an explosion, it means the end of Europe”: Zelenskyy calls on the West to wake up and respond to Russian shelling of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the world and Europe, in particular, to wake up and stop the Russian army, because the explosion at the nuclear power plant could mean the end for everyone

He said this during his address.

"For the first time in our history, the history of humanity, the terrorist state has resorted to nuclear terror. Russian propagandists have threatened to cover the world with nuclear ashes, now it's not a threat, now it's a reality. We must stop the Russian military immediately. If there is an explosion, it's the end of everything, the end of Europe. It's the evacuation of Europe. Only immediate European action can stop Russian troops. Prevent the death of Europe from the nuclear disaster," he said.

Zelenskyy stressed that the Russians knew where to shoot, because their tanks are equipped with thermal imagers, and they were preparing for it. He appealed to everyone who is aware of the Chernobyl disaster to wake up and inform everyone about the crime in Russia.

"It was a global catastrophe. Hundreds of thousands of people fought with its consequences, tens of thousands of people were evacuated. Russia wants to do it again and is doing it again, but 6 times more. Europeans, wake up, please. Tell your politicians: Russian troops are shelling the nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Zaporizhzhia NPP. The city of Enerhodar. There are six power units, six! One power unit exploded in Chernobyl," Zelenskyy stressed.

The president added that he had already contacted a number of Western leaders, as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency.

On Friday, March 4, a fire broke out on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as a result of shelling by Russian occupation forces.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba stated that the explosion at the Zaporizhzhia NPP would be 10 times bigger than Chernobyl.

He wrote about this on Twitter.

"Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broken out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chornobyl! Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone!" the Foreign Ministry said.

As of 8 a.m. on March 4, the Zaporizhzhшa NPP site has been seized by the Russian military, according to the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine.

Operational personnel monitor the condition of power units and ensure their operation in accordance with the requirements of technical regulations for safe operation.