ATOMIC THREAT
Russia accused of ‘nuclear terrorism’ after bombing reactor site during fresh attacks on city of Kharkiv
RUSSIA has been accused of nuclear terrorism by Ukraine after bombing a reactor site in the city of Kharkiv.
The hit is believed to have happened at the city's Institute of Physics and Technology in a fresh attack after continuous shelling in the region.
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Dramatic footage shared online shows the explosion sparking massive flames in the air at the building.
The attack also caused a fire at a nearby hostel, the Ukrainian Parliament said, which was later put out by firefighters.
Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine's Interior Ministry, said a shell hit a building that holds equipment that could release nuclear radiation if damaged.
However, according to the president's office, there has been no change in the background radiation.
In a tweet, the parliament's official website said fighting close to the Institute of Physics and Technology was continuing.
Ukraine's Centre for Strategic Communications and Information Security tweeted: "In Kharkiv, eyewitnesses report a fire in the building of Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology.
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"The building contains equipment which, if damaged, can lead to radioactive pollution of the environment."
According to Ukrainian media the fire started at around 8.20pm when air raid sirens sounded in the city.
Civilians reported the "sounds of explosions and volleys of artillery" according to .
The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine accused Russia of committing "an act of nuclear terrorism."
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Russian forces were accused of firing unguided rockets at the same building last week.
The institute is home to a facility called Neutron Source which contains a nuclear reactor used for research.
Russian forces have already taken over two nuclear power plants in Ukraine, raising concerns about the security of the nuclear facilities.
It comes after the White House's warning that Russia could "possibly use chemical or biological weapons" in the country.
US intelligence said the Russian leader may attempt to "create a false flag operation" with its devastating weapons so he can blame Kyiv.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: "We should all be on the lookout for Russia to possibly use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine, or to create a false flag operation using them.
"It’s a clear pattern."
It comes as...
- Russia has been accused of bombing a maternity hospital - killing three including a girl, 6 - as its bloody campaign continues
- Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned - banning him from selling Chelsea FC
- The club is now in limbo - with a transfer ban and being left unable to offer new deals to their players
- US officials warned Putin could unleash biological weapons as Kharkiv came under siege
- Russia has already been accused of using thermobaric "vacuum bombs" that can rupture people's lungs
- Cities in Ukraine have been reduced to harrowing apocalyptic hellscapes under Putin's merciless bombing
- A heartbroken Ukrainian dad pleaded "forgive me" as his entire family was wiped out by Russian strikes
- Europe's biggest nuclear plant has had its warning systems shut down after being taken over by the Russians
The UK's Ministry of Defence confirmed on Wednesday that Russia has used thermobaric "vacuum bombs" in Ukraine.
The killer weapons can explode people's lungs as they suck in oxygen to create a huge fireball blast.
The UK Ministry of Defence shared a video about the weapon on Twitter and said: "The Russian MoD has confirmed the use of the TOS-1A weapon system in Ukraine.
"The TOS-1A uses thermobaric rockets, creating incendiary and blast effects."
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Western officials fear Putin will use non-conventional weapons such as weaponised sarin, chlorine and mustard gas.
US intelligence chiefs have also warned the Russian President could unleash mini-nukes in a warning to Nato if his "clusterf**k" invasion continues.
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