Grain exports, attacks continue in Ukraine as fears mount over nuclear plant

Grain continued to make its way out of Ukraine over the weekend as Russian rockets damaged a power-plant in the beleaguered country — and actress Jessica Chastain paid a visit.

Six ships containing the agricultural goods embarked in the Black Sea on Sunday, the latest shipment since an internationally-brokered deal freed up millions of tons of grain as parts of the world faced potential starvation.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy slammed Russia for shelling the Zaporizhzhia station, Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant.

“There is no such nation in the world that can feel safe when a terrorist state fires at a nuclear plant,” Zelenskyy said in a Sunday statement. “God forbid, if something irreparable happens, no one will stop the wind that will spread the radioactive contamination.”

He called for “a principled response of the international community” over the attack, for which Russia denied responsibility.

A high-voltage power line was among the structures damaged in the Saturday incident, according to Ukraine’s nuclear agency, though no radiation leaks were reported.

Russia controls the site in southern Ukraine and is allegedly using it to mount attacks on civilians.

“Every morning we wake up and see that they have hit only residential homes,” the BBC quoted a local businessman as saying.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency warned that the situation at the Zaporizhzhia plant is getting increasingly dangerous.

“Every principle of nuclear safety has been violated” at the plant, said Rafael Grossi. “What is at stake is extremely serious.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken began a three-country trip to Africa on Sunday, with the goal of gaining support for Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and French President Emmanuel Macron recently visited countries in Africa.

“It’s like a new Cold War is playing out in Africa,” said William Gumede, director of Democracy Works, a southern African nonprofit.

Over the weekend, Russian forces launched an assault on Bakhmut and Avdiivka, two key cities in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. The invading troops have focused on the eastern part of the country since failing to topple Kyiv in the early stages of the war, which began Feb. 24.

Five civilians were killed and another 14 wounded around Saturday, according to Donetsk’s Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko.

“Our army is doing everything possible to stop the Russian terror and inflict the greatest possible losses on the occupiers,” Zelenskyy stated. “Avdiivka, Pisky, Maryinka, Bakhmut and other hot areas in the Donetsk region take the main efforts and, unfortunately, many lives.”

On Sunday, Chastain became the latest celebrity to visit Kyiv. She met with Zelenskyy and went to a children’s hospital, according to the Ukrainian president’s office.

She followed in the footsteps of stars like Angelina Jolie and world leaders including former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. First Lady Jill Biden visited Ukraine in May, though the White House says President Biden has no plans for such a trip.

Chastain “saw with her own eyes the consequences of the Russian occupation in Irpin, Kyiv region, Zelenskyy said.

“Her story about our war will definitely be heard. We are preparing an important humanitarian event,” he added.

With News Wire Services