Controversy Sparks as Fire Erupts Near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

A fire near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant's cooling towers is being extinguished, with no impact on the plant's safety. Russian officials blame Ukraine for shelling, while Ukraine accuses Russian forces of igniting the blaze.

Russian management at the occupied Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant reported on Sunday that rescuers are working to extinguish a fire near the facility's cooling towers. They confirmed the fire has had no impact on the plant's safety.

Evgeny Balitsky, a Russian-installed official in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region, accused Ukraine of starting the fire by shelling the nearby city of Enerhodar. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had earlier stated that Russian forces were responsible for lighting the fire at the facility.

The conflicting accounts add to the growing tensions in the region as both sides continue to blame each other for the incident.

(With inputs from agencies.)