Fears of a radiation leak mount near Ukrainian nuclear plant:
This composite of satellite images taken by Planet Labs PBC shows smoke rising from fires at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)
As of last Friday, authorities are distributing iodine tablets to residents near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in case of a radiation leak. This comes amid mounting fears that the fighting around the complex could trigger a catastrophe. The move came a day after the plant was temporarily knocked offline because of what officials said was fire damage to a transmission line.The Zaporizhzhia plant has been occupied by Russian forces and run by Ukrainian workers since early in the 6-month-old war. The two sides have repeatedly accused each other of shelling the site. The UN’s atomic energy agency has been attempting to send in a team to inspect and help secure the plant. Officials said preparations for the trip were underway, though it remains unclear when it might take place.