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Putin Not To Attend BRICS Summit To Be Held In SA

By LokMarg 19th July 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the BRICS nations summit to be held in South Africa, announced the office of the South African President.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed South Africa’s readiness to host the historic 15th Summit of BRICS nations- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in August.
It will be the first summit hosted in person since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions. The Summit will be attended by the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa.

The BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will attend the first BRICS Summit to be hosted in person since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions.

The Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, as per the Presidency’s press statement.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said on Wednesday, “By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the summit but the Russian Federation will be represented by foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.”

President Ramaphosa has in recent months and weeks held a number of consultations on the hosting of the Summit. The President’s most recent consultation in this regard took place last night, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at the BRICS Political Party Dialogue in Gauteng.

In due course, a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the Summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued.

President Ramaphosa is confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe.

“President Ramaphosa has in recent months and weeks held a number of consultations on the hosting of the summit. The president’s most recent consultation in this regard took place last night, Tuesday, July 18, at the BRICS political party dialogue in Gauteng.

“The summit will be attended by the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa. In due course, a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued.

“President Ramaphosa is confident the summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe,” as per the South African Presidency.

Earlier, the South African government granted diplomatic immunity to all international participants, including Russian President Vladamir Putin and other Russian officials, at BRICS-related events to be held in the country, as per local media.

“Immunity from personal arrest or detention and from seizure of their personal baggage, and, in respect of words spoken or written and all acts done by them in their capacity as representatives, immunity from legal process of every kind,” the document reads.

A warrant for Putin’s arrest was issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague in March, and since South Africa is a member of the formation, it is obliged to arrest Putin when he is in the country.

Despite this, South Africa, as the current chair of the BRICS alliance, has officially invited Putin to the summit in August. (ANI)

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UP Mangoes Market Must Be Expanded Globally: Yogi

By LokMarg 14th July 2023

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the high demand for UP’s mangoes in European markets during the inauguration of the “Uttar Pradesh Mango Festival 2023” at Avadh Shilpgram in Lucknow.

He urged the need to make these mangoes accessible worldwide, stating that the markets of Europe are waiting for the mangoes of UP.
Adityanath said, “The markets of Europe are waiting for the mangoes of Uttar Pradesh. We must take the mangoes from here to every corner of the world.”

“In Russia, mangoes are being sold at Rs 800 per kg, but it costs Rs 190 to send mangoes through cargo from here. That means, if a farmer exports mangoes to Russia, he will get a net profit of more than Rs. 600,” he added.

Furthermore, he asked the farmers to avoid shortcuts, prioritize quality, and prepare their products in accordance with market demands.

“Our government is working on the ‘Beej Se Bazar Tak’ approach to increase the income of farmers,” he said.

CM Yogi said that the state government sent its teams to numerous nations during the Global Investors Summit.

“We have to explore the global market for horticulture crops, and through Indian Missions Abroad, we should organize exhibitions showcasing agricultural products related to Uttar Pradesh,” he said.

Asserting that the mango festival is a platform to increase the income of farmers, the CM said, “As per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intention, the Uttar Pradesh government is taking all necessary steps in the interest of the farmers.”

“Our government has built four-pack houses in the state. Recently, we got the opportunity to send two tonnes of mangoes to Dubai from the packhouse in Varanasi, and we will have to organize similar programs from the Saharanpur, Amroha, and Lucknow Packhouses,” he added.

He further stated that agricultural scientists and officers of the Horticulture Department will need to work together in order to bring horticulture crops to the international market.

“Only then we will be able to explore new avenues and give the agricultural and horticultural products of Uttar Pradesh a different identity,” he said.

Producers, buyers, sellers, and exporters participated in the mango festival.

On the occasion, Farmers associated with mango production were honoured.

Before the program, CM Yogi observed the exhibition showcasing various products made from mangoes and released the souvenir of the Mango Festival 2023. Additionally, Chief Minister also honoured farmers and traders from various districts of the state who have excelled in the field of mango production.

Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, Horticulture Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh, Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, Agriculture Production Commissioner Manoj Kumar Singh, and mango producing farmers were present during the event. (ANI)

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Chandrayaan-3: Spacecraft Lifts Off Successfully From Sriharikota

By LokMarg 14th July 2023

The wait is over as Chandrayaan-3 was launched on GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota as per scheduled launch time.

The journey from Earth to the moon for the spacecraft is estimated to take about a month and the landing is expected on August 23. Upon landing, it will operate for one lunar day, which is approximately 14 Earth days. One day on the Moon is equal to 14 days on Earth.
Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar exploration mission, will make India the fourth country after US, China, and Russia, to land its spacecraft on the surface of the moon and demonstrate the country’s abilities for safe and soft landing on lunar surface.

Chandrayaan-3 is the ISRO’s follow-up attempt after the Chandrayaan-2 mission faced challenges during its soft landing on the lunar surface in 2019 and was eventually deemed to have failed its core mission objectives.

Chandrayaan-3 will be inserted into the Lunar Transfer Trajectory after the orbit raising maneuvers. Covering a distance of over 300,000 km, it will reach the Moon in the coming weeks. Scientific instruments onboard will study the Moon’s surface and enhance our knowledge.

Chandrayaan-3 is equipped with a lander, a rover and a propulsion module. It weighs around 3,900 kilograms.

Moon serves as a repository of the Earth’s past and a successful lunar mission by India will help enhance life on Earth while also enabling it explore the rest of the solar system and beyond.

July 14, 2023 will always be etched in golden letters in the annals of India’s space sector history, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of the launch of much-awaited Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission.

“This remarkable mission will carry the hopes and dreams of our nation,” PM Modi had tweeted earlier.

“Thanks to our scientists, India has a very rich history in the space sector. Chandrayaan-1 is considered to be a path breaker among global lunar missions as it confirmed the presence of water molecules on the moon. It featured in over 200 scientific publications around the world,” PM Modi wrote on Twitter.

“Till Chandrayaan-1, the moon was believed to be a bone-dry, geologically inactive and uninhabitable celestial body. Now, it is seen as a dynamic and geologically active body with the presence of water and sub-surface ice,” he added, asserting it might be potentially inhabited in the future.

Chandrayaan-2 was equally pathbreaking because data from the Orbiter associated with it detected the presence of chromium, manganese and sodium for the first time through remote sensing. This will also provide more insights into the moon’s magmatic evolution, PM Modi stated.

The key scientific outcomes from Chandrayaan-2 include the first ever global map for lunar sodium, enhancing knowledge on crater size distribution, unambiguous detection of lunar surface water ice with IIRS instrument and more. The mission has featured in almost 50 publications.

Extending best wishes for the Chandrayaan-3 mission, PM Modi urged people to know more about this lunar mission and the strides India has made in space, science and innovation. “It will make you all very proud,” he added.

Chandrayaan-3’s development phase commenced in January 2020 with the launch planned sometime in 2021. However, the Covid-19 pandemic brought an unforeseen delay to the mission’s progress.

K Sivan, former director of ISRO, told ANI that the success of mission Chandrayan-3 will give a morale boost to programmes like Gaganyan, India’s first manned space mission.

Former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan, who has been instrumental in the country’s space sector innovation, said on Thursday the Chandrayaan-3 mission is going to be successful and a game-changer event for India.

”Chandrayaan-3 will definitely be a game changer for India and I hope it will be successful. India will become an inspiration to the entire world. Let’s wait for the launch and pray for the best,” Nambi Narayanan told ANI.

“I’m assuming, and I hope that it will be a successful mission. Because whatever the problem in Chandrayaan-2, actually, we corrected the whole thing. From the failure, we have understood all mistakes (on our part),” Narayanan, the recipient of India’s third highest civilian honour, ‘Padma Bhushan’, told ANI.(ANI)

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G7 To Work Closely Following Russia Uprising: Kishida

By LokMarg 27th June 2023

Following a short-lived uprising by the Wagner mercenary group in Russia, the Japanese government on Monday said that it will coordinate with the other Group of Seven (G7) countries in addressing the situation, adding the development warrants “serious attention,” Kyodo News reported.

Japanese PM Fumio Kishida told reporters, “We would like to respond to the situation by closely working with the G7.” He made these remarks in reference to the rebellion that seemed to have dealt a blow to the authority of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in the midst of a Ukrainian counteroffensive in the war launched by Moscow in February last year.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said that he has not heard of any major clashes in Russia following the rebellion, but the government will make efforts to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens residing in the country, as per Kyodo News.

Kyodo News is a news agency based in Minato, Tokyo.

Mastsuno refrained from commenting on the possible impact of the uprising on Putin’s rule and the war in Ukraine. He added, “We will continue to closely watch the Wagner Group’s moves and Russia’s domestic situation with serious attention.”

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, which had been fighting with the Russian military in Ukraine, announced on Saturday that his forces would halt their assault on Moscow to save “shedding Russian blood.”

Amid a flurry of diplomatic action as tensions rose, the G7 foreign ministers agreed on Saturday during phone calls to closely coordinate their response as they discussed “urgent challenges the international community is facing,” according to the Japanese government, according to Kyodo News.

The G-7 includes the European Union in addition to the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. At the moment, Japan is the group’s rotating chair.

In a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday, US President Joe Biden reaffirmed the United States “unwavering US support, including through continued security, economic, and humanitarian aid,” according to the White House.

In a television interview on Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the movement revealed “real cracks” in Putin’s control.

He said, “We can’t speculate or know exactly where that’s going to go. We do know that Putin has a lot more to answer for in the weeks and months ahead,” Kyodo News reported. (ANI)

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Prezs’ Of France, Poland Monitoring Situation In Russia

By LokMarg 24th June 2023

French President Emmanuel Macron is “closely” monitoring the situation in Russia, CNN reported. Similarly, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said that events beyond their eastern border are being “monitored.”

In a statement released by the Elysee, “The President is monitoring the situation closely. We remain focused on supporting Ukraine.” Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner group, on Saturday, announced that his troops had taken control of military facilities in two Russian cities, CNN reported.
Polish President Andrzej Duda said that due to the situation in Russia, he held talks with the country’s Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence and allies.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, he stated, “Due to the situation in Russia, we held consultations this morning with the Prime Minister and the Ministry of National Defense, as well as with the Allies. The course of events beyond our eastern border is monitored on an ongoing basis.”

Meanwhile, Estonia Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that they were following the development of the situation in Russia. She urged the people of Estonia not to travel to any region of Russia.

Kaja Kallas in a tweet stated, “Estonia is closely following the development of the situation in Russia and exchanging information with allies. I can assure that there is no direct threat to our country. Border security has been strengthened. I also urge our people not to travel to any part of Russia.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin in a televised address to the nation on Saturday said that the “armed mutiny” by the Wagner Group is a “stab in the back” and vowed to punish those who were on the “path of treason” or anyone who takes up arms against the Russian military.

In his televised address to the nation, Putin said, “Renegade actions against those fighting in the front is a stab in the back of our country,” CNN reported. Putin also pledged a harsh response and punishment to those who plan “an armed rebellion.”

“We will defend both our people and our statehood from any threats, including internal treachery. What we have been confronted with can be precisely called treachery. The unbounded ambitions and personal interests have led to treason and a betrayal of the country and its people,” Putin was quoted as saying by TASS.

Putin’s statement came hours after The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia opened a criminal case into a call for an armed mutiny by the Wagner group. The FSB urged Wagner fighters not to obey Prigozhin’s orders and take measures for his detention.

Russian President said that “any internal turmoil” is a “deadly threat” to Russia’s statehood and Moscow’s actions to protect the homeland. He noted that such a threat will “face a severe response.”

Calling the situation in Rostov-on-Don “difficult,” Putin in his address noted that the work of civil and military administration had been blocked in Rostov. “The situation in Rostov-on-Don remains difficult during the armed uprising. In Rostov, the work of civil and military administration is basically blocked,” Putin said as per the CNN report.

Earlier today, the Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said his forces have taken control of military facilities, including the airfield in Rostov-on-Don, according to CNN. Prigozhin’s actions come after he accused Russian forces of striking a Wagner military camp and killing “a huge amount” of his fighters. Russia’s Ministry of Defense has denied his claim and termed it an “information provocation.” (ANI)

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India’s Position On Russia Well Understood By World: Modi

By LokMarg 20th June 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India stands on the side of peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.

In an interview with WSJ ahead of his departure for a historic State visit to the US, PM Modi said that when it comes to the Ukraine conflict, “Some people say that we are neutral. But we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace.”
Asked about cricitism in the US of his government for not taking a more forceful stance against Russia in the conflict with Ukraine, PM Modi told the publication, “I don’t think this type of perception is widespread in the US.”

“I think India’s position is well known and well understood in the entire world. The world has full confidence that India’s topmost priority is peace,” he told the Wall Street Journal in an interview that was conducted at the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister said all countries should respect international law and the sovereignty of countries, disputes should be resolved with diplomacy and dialogue, not war.

India has abstained from UN votes condemning the invasion.

The PM during his interview with WSJ said he has spoken several times to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He said he most recently spoke to Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Japan in May.

“India will do whatever it can” and supports “all genuine efforts to bring an end to the conflict and ensure enduring peace and stability,” PM Modi said.

According to The Wall Street Journal, India’s relationship with the US has strengthened in recent years in part because of economic ties. Trade between the two countries reached a record USD 191 billion in 2022, making the US India’s largest trading partner. The US is India’s third-biggest source of foreign direct investment and one of the top five destinations for investment from India.

India has at the same time, maintained close ties with Russia, which still provides about 50 per cent of the country’s military supplies, including arms, ammunition, tanks, jet fighters and S-400 air defence systems, according to WSJ.

PM Modi during the interview also said that “there is an unprecedented trust” between the leaders of the US and India. He hailed growing defence cooperation between the two countries as “an important pillar of our partnership,” which he said extends to trade, technology and energy.

In the US, PM Modi will address the joint session of the US Congress, meet with business leaders and Indian expats, and join President Joe Biden for a state dinner at the White House. (ANI)

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Shah Rukh’s ‘Pathaan’ To Be Released In Russia, CIS Nations

By LokMarg 9th June 2023

The craze for Shah Rukh Khan-starrer ‘Pathaan’ has not ended yet. The film is now ready to release in dubbed versions across Russia and CIS countries including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

As per a statement shared by YRF, the dubbed version will release on July 13 across 3000+ screens.

Helmed by Siddharth Anand, ‘Pathaan’ also starred Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in the lead roles. It is the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time.

On receiving abundant love for Pathaan, SRK tweeted, “ITS NOT THE BUSINESS….ITS STRICTLY PERSONAL”. Making ppl smile & entertaining them is our business & if we don’t take it personally….it will never fly. Thanks to all who gave Pathaan love & all who worked on the film & proved ki mehnat lagan aur bharosa abhi Zinda Hai.Jai Hind.”

‘Pathaan’ also saw superstar Salman Khan in a special cameo. (ANI)

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Biden Pledges $500MN Military Aid For Ukraine

By LokMarg 20th February 2023

US President Joe Biden who made an unannounced visit to Kyiv today, days before the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, pledged a USD 500 million military aid package for the country.

Addressing a joint briefing alongside Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy, Biden said, “We will announce USD 500 million in aid to Ukraine. This will consist of javelins, howitzers, and artillery ammunition. Later, we will announce additional sanctions against companies which are trying to back Russia.”
Biden said the package would be announced on Tuesday and that Washington would also provide more ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) in Ukraine’s possession.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s president has lauded Biden’s visit to Kyiv as the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaches.

“Joseph Biden, welcome to Kyiv! Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram.

The US leader’s visit comes at a crucial moment in the war as Biden looks to keep allies unified in their support for Ukraine with the war expected to intensify in the coming months as both sides prepare for anticipated spring offensives.

Zelenskyy is pressing allies to speed up the delivery of pledged weapon systems and is calling on the West to deliver fighter jets to Ukraine – something that Biden to date has declined to do.

Biden declared from Kyiv on Monday that a year after invading Ukraine, “Putin’s war of conquest is failing.”

“Putin’s war conquest is failing. Russia’s military has lost half its territory once occupied. Young, talented Russians fleeing from Russia because they see no future in the country. Russia’s economy is isolated and struggling,” said Biden.

“Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outlast us. I don’t think he’s thinking that right now, ” Biden said standing alongside Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.

“He’s just been plain wrong,” Biden said of Putin. “One year later, the evidence is right here in this room. We stand here together.”

“One year later Kyiv stands, Ukraine stands, and Democracy stands. America and the world stand with you. Kyiv has captured a part of my heart. Freedom is priceless, it is worth fighting for. We are going to be with you for as long as it takes,” said Biden.

President Biden’s trip to Kyiv on Monday was shrouded in secrecy, a reflection of the steep security concerns of visiting an active war zone.

Biden is travelling with a relatively small entourage, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan, deputy chief of staff Jen O’Malley Dillon and personal aide Annie Tomasini, reported CNN.

Zelenskyy said negotiations between his and US President Biden’s teams in Kyiv were a major boost to his country.

“This conversation brings us closer to victory,” Zelenskyy said, speaking alongside Biden on Monday.

“The results of this visit will surely be seen, and will surely have repercussions on the battlefield in liberating our territories,” he added.

The Ukrainian leader also called Biden’s surprise visit the most important in the “history of the Ukraine-US relationship.”

“Ukrainians remember the focus, attention, the attitude that President Biden and the US have given to Ukraine,” Zelenskyy added.

“I thank you for this level of US-Ukraine cooperation,” he said.

Zelensky said he had discussed the supply of more advanced Western weapons to Ukraine, and cited the recent decision by the US to send Abrams tanks to the country as another defining moment.

“The decision of the US on Abrams tanks has already presented a foundation for establishing a tank coalition and is of historic importance,” he said.

“We’ve also talked about long-range weapons and the weapons that may still be supplied to Ukraine – even though have not been supplied before,” added Zelenskyy. (ANI)

Biden Makes Surprise Visit To Kyiv In The Middle Of Full-Scale Conflict

By LokMarg 20th February 2023

In a display of strong American support for Ukraine just four days before the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, US President Joe Biden on Monday made a surprise visit to Kyiv, reported The Washington Post.

Kyiv is no stranger to official visits, but this one is different. The fact the US president is meeting Ukraine’s leader in the heart of the capital in the middle of a full-scale conflict is significant and symbolic.
The high-risk visit, to a Ukrainian capital that has been under threat of missile attacks, signals continued commitment from the United States, the largest financial and military backer of Ukraine’s effort to repel Russians from its territory, reported The Washington Post.

Biden was spotted outside St Michael Golden-Domed Monastery with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Ukrainian capital was in a tight security lockdown with car traffic halted and even pedestrians blocked from certain streets. Shortly afterwards, an air raid siren went off in the city, reported The Washington Post.

His visit was shrouded in secrecy. Biden was due to leave for an announced visit to Poland from Washington on Monday evening.

Earlier, major motorcade was spotted in Kyiv amid speculations that Biden is visiting the country.

Heavy US security has been deployed near Ukraine’s border as the White House had in a statement said that Biden is heading to Poland for a two-day visit to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, returning to the region as the war enters a volatile new phase without a clear path to peace.

Biden will arrive in Warsaw on Tuesday where he will meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda, the White House said in a statement on Sunday.

Biden has insisted the US will continue to back Ukraine for “as long as it takes” despite flagging support among the American public and no near-term prospect of peace talks to end the conflict, reported The Washington Post.

The Biden administration has provided some USD 30 billion in security aid since President Vladimir Putin sent Russian forces into Ukraine on February 24, 2022, initiating the largest ground war in Europe since World War II — one that already has cost his country and Ukraine hundreds of thousands of casualties.

Under Biden’s leadership, the US and its NATO allies have gradually expanded the array of weaponry they have pledged to include heavy tanks.

While other world leaders have visited Kyiv to meet with Zelenskyy over the past year, and tour the war-scarred city, Biden has stayed away due to security concerns and fears about the possibility of conflict between the world’s two largest nuclear powers, sending senior aides in his place.

Notably, First Lady Jill Biden made a surprise visit to Western Ukraine on Mother’s Day in May, reported The Washington Post. (ANI)

Russia Strikes Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia 17 Times An Hour

By LokMarg 10th February 2023

Russian missile strikes targeted the energy infrastructure in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia on Friday morning, The Kyiv Independent reported citing Zaporizhzhia City Council Secretary Anatolii Kurtiev.

The Russian forces reportedly strike the city 17 times an hour, making it the most amount of times Moscow has launched attacks on Kyiv since the war started.
According to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, Russian forces also targeted crucial infrastructure in Kharkiv before 4:00 am (local time) today, The Kyiv Independent reported.

The attack’s details are being clarified further, officials said. No information is available as of yet regarding casualties in Kharkiv or Zaporizhzhia.

Located on the left bank of the Dnipro River, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is Europe’s largest nuclear power plant by the number of units and output.

After the start of the Ukraine conflict in February last year, the station and surrounding area went under the control of the Russian forces and have since been shelled multiple times.

Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the attacks. (ANI)