--- title: "Russian forces have captured Ukrainian nuclear power plant after live-streamed firefight [Updated]" description: "The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine came under attack by Russian troops on Friday while being live-streamed on YouTube." date: "2022-03-03" modified: "2022-03-04" authors: - name: "Paul Szoldra" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/paul-szoldra/" url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/russia-attack-plant/" categories: - "Around the World" - "News" - "Russia" - "Tactics" - "Tech & Tactics" - "Ukraine" - "Warfare" --- # Russian forces have captured Ukrainian nuclear power plant after live-streamed firefight \[Updated\] ![russia livestream]() Russian troops have reportedly [captured the world’s largest nuclear power plant]() in Ukraine following a battle overnight that left the facility damaged. The assault on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine was [live-streamed on the plant’s official YouTube channel.]() During the battle, a fire broke out in a training building outside the plant’s permitter, [according to the New York Times,]() which cited Ukraine’s state emergency service. Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm tweeted on Thursday night that no increase in radiation levels at the power plant had been detected. “The plant’s reactors are protected by robust containment structures and reactors are being safely shut down,” [Granholm tweeted.]() **You can watch the live stream below:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYUT36YGOh8 This most recent news comes after a tense night, during which [Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba]() claimed that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant could explode. “If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than [Chornobyl!]()” Kuleba tweeted on Thursday. The mayor of the nearby town of Energodar [told]() Reuters that the plant, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and roughly 700 miles from Kyiv, came under fire on Friday morning, local time. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) [called]() on military forces operating to "refrain from violence near the nuclear power plant" in a written statement. But videos clipped from portions of the live stream showed what appeared to be small arms fire and explosions: https://twitter.com/YWNReporter/status/1499545591596167170 https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1499560559154499585 Built by the Soviet Union in the 1980s, the site is being defended by a Ukrainian military unit that is "in combat readiness" and operating on a full-time basis, according to the [plant website](). "As of 16:00 on March 3, 2022, Zaporizhzhya NPP is operating normally. The current capacity of the power units of ZNPP and other NPPs of Ukraine is quite sufficient for the full life of the population and industrial facilities." ![]() *Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station (Photo: [Wikimedia Commons]())* https://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP/status/1499546978405036054 *Update: This story was originally published on March 3, 2022, at 7: 52 p.m., EST, and was extensively updated on March 4 at 10:30 am, EST.* ## What’s new on Task & Purpose - [**The ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ is the first urban legend**]() **of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine** - **Man calls into public radio with tips on** [**how to make Molotov cocktails in Ukraine**]() - [**‘Russian warship, go f–k yourself’**]() **— Ukrainian troops make heroic last stand on Black Sea island** - **The Navy is moving ahead with court-martial of a** [**sailor accused of torching a $3 billion warship**]() - [**Military nuclear experts explain the actual danger of troops**]() **battling in the shadow of Chernobyl** - **Here’s what those mysterious** [**white ‘Z’ markings on Russian military equipment may mean**]() **Want to write for Task & Purpose?** [**Click here**]()**. Or check out the latest stories on** [**our homepage.**]() ## Author Paul Szoldra was the Editor in Chief of Task & Purpose from October 2018 until August 2022. Since joining T&P, he has led a talented team of writers, editors, and creators who produce military journalism reaching millions of readers each month. He also founded and edits [Duffel Blog](), a popular satirical newsletter for the military. Before becoming a journalist in 2013, he served as a Marine infantryman in Afghanistan, Korea, and other areas of the Pacific. His eyes still go up every time a helicopter from Camp Pendleton flies over his office in Southern California. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [LinkedIn]() [Facebook]() [Instagram]()