Zakharova: Kiev playing with fire, ZNPP shelling enters critical stage

• 

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Ukraine is endangering the critical infrastructure of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP) and the lives of people working there by shelling the area, warning that Kiev is "playing with fire".

"The Kiev regime continues to 'play with fire' by carrying out gross and irresponsible provocations against the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. After a period of calm, the Armed Forces of Ukraine resumed artillery strikes on the territory inside the perimeter of the station. Its critical infrastructure, the life, and health of the people working there are under threat again," Zakharova stated.

Watch now: Zaporozhye plant’s power cut

The spokeswoman added that the situation at the ZNPP after the shelling by Kiev was reaching a critical stage, which could result in a technological disaster.

The shelling on the power plant was nearing a critical stage that might lead to a disaster, Zakharova warned.

"The attacks, in particular, took place on the evening of November 19, when numerous artillery strikes with 155-caliber NATO ammunition were carried out on the territory of the ZNPP," she noted, adding that the shellings were, "continued the next day, November 20, when, among other places, the sites where radioactive waste is stored were subjected to shelling."

Watch now: Zaporozhye station, and the danger of nuclear disaster

"Fortunately, significant damage to the ZNPP was avoided, no radiation release occurred. But the situation was reaching a critical stage, which, quite likely, could result in a man-made disaster," said the spokeswoman.

Earlier today, the IAEA stated that 'Powerful explosions' shook the area around ZNPP.

Al Mayadeen correspondent in Moscow reported on November 12 that Russian forces deployed large reinforcements to prevent the Ukrainian forces from advancing toward Zaporozhye region.

Read more: IAEA calls for security zone at Zaporozhye NPP

Earlier in October, a Senior official in the Zaporozhye Region Vladimir Rogov said that Ukrainian authorities have begun planning an offensive against the region, so provocations may occur in the near future.

Kiev authorities may decide to incite or escalate hostilities in the next two or three weeks, as per the official.

It is worth noting that the four unification treaties with the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics alongside the Kherson and the Zaporozhye Regions were officially signed into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin last October.