Violence erupts at pro-Ukraine rally
Russian troops violently disperse pro-Ukraine rally
Footage shows pro-Ukrainian demonstrators scatter as Russian troops, as reported by ABC News, open fire to disperse a crowd that had gathered in Ukraine's occupied southern city of Kherson.
A pro-Ukrainian demonstration throughout Enerhodar, during the siege's aftermath, sees Russian authorities use troops to violently disperse it. Several protesters were quicky arrested. Moscow, describing the Ukraine invasion as a "special military operation," denies targeting Ukrainian civilians. Numerous rallies in various towns and villages, since the Russian invasion, have been staged.
Nuclear Reasoning...
Russian engagements, when holding siege to Enerhodar, were part of the Kherson offensive. Enerhodar, located in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, appears to have had some strategic value to the Russians.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, as the name clearly indicates, is situated somewhere in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The power plant is Europe's largest nuclear facility. Clearly, no rocket since required, it doesn't take much intelligence to figure out the power station had motivated Russian intentions for Enerhodar. It's simply a matter of connecting the right dots.
The Russian Ministry of Defence, on Monday, 28 Feb. 2022, announced they had captured both Enerhodar and the nearby Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
"The Russian Armed Forces have taken control of Berdyansk and Enerhodar," Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.
Enerhodar's power station, with energy derived from nuclear power, generates half of the Ukraine's electricity. It's really one-fifth of the country's total electricity generated.
Continued Russian shelling, especially around Kyiv, Mariupol, Sumy, and Kharkiv, made evacuating civilians practically impossible. A Russian proposal which would have allowed many civilians to escape, because routes directly led to either Russia or Belarus, was met with scepticism. Ukraine, without giving it much thought, naturally rejected the proposal.
IAEA Statement...
The IAEA, Sunday, 6 March 2022, released a detailed statement regarding Russian forces interfering with power plant operations. Russian forces were tightening its grip on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
“I’m extremely concerned about these developments that were reported to me today ... In order to be able to operate the plant safely and securely, management and staff must be allowed to carry out their vital duties in stable conditions without undue external interference or pressure,” IAEA’s Director General Rafael Grossi said.
“The deteriorating situation regarding vital communications between the regulator and the Zaporizhzhia NPP is also a source of deep concern, especially during an armed conflict that may jeopardise the country’s nuclear facilities at any time."
Mayor Dmytro Orlov, not wanting to create panic, denied Enerhodar and the nuclear power plant had been overrun. Local citizens, in a final attempt to stem the Russian tide, barricaded the roads leading to both the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and Enerhodar. Russian forces were subsequently forced to turn back. Russian forces, by Tuesday, 1 March 2022, had surrounded Enerhodar.
Ukraine is home to a more infamous nuclear power plant. Chernobyl, as many readers might recall from the 1986 explosion, could be cause for concern. The 1986 explosion, considered the worst nuclear accident in modern history, left the surrounding area practically uninhabitable. The decommissioned nuclear site, on Monday, 28 Feb. 2022, was quickly seized by Russian forces.
The Situation at Chernobyl...
What is the current situation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and what surprises did the Russian fighters leave?
The head of Energoatom Petro Kotin told ICTV Facts about this in detail, promising the occupiers of ZNPP and Energodar that the fate of the Chernobyl invaders would soon await them.
Five Days Later...
Five days later, on Saturday, 5 March 2022, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Oleksandr Starukh addressed mounting concerns. Russian forces, despite having held the city for mere days, had left Enerhodar. Ukrainian authorities had seemingly regained control.
Orlov denied circulating rumours Russian forces had established a perimeter around the city and power plant. Conflicting information kept circulating. The Southeast's Ukrainian military administration, on Monday, 7 March 2022, confirmed Enerhodar remained under Russian control. Has anything, by Saturday, 2 April 2022, really changed?
About the Creator
Shain Thomas
I'm a freelance journalist. A member of both the NLGJA and SPJ, I currently write articles for Harsh Light News on Medium and HVY.Com. When I was a university student, I wrote articles for the NT Daily and TCU 360.
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Ukraine Retake Chernobyl
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, with the Ukrainian flag flying overhead, has been retaken by Ukrainian forces. A ceremony, honouring the staff continuing to work at the decommissioned nuclear power plant under Russian occupation, was held.
By Shain Thomas4 years ago in The Swamp
Waitress ‘Who Accidentally Started Swiss Bar Fire’ Was Killed in the Blaze
A Night That Ended in Catastrophe The devastating fire that tore through a popular bar in the Swiss resort town of Crans-Montana, killing dozens of people, has taken on a tragic new dimension. Authorities have confirmed that the waitress believed to have accidentally started the fire was herself among those who died in the blaze. The revelation has shocked the local community and reshaped public understanding of one of Switzerland’s deadliest fires in recent years. What was initially seen as a case of negligence has now become a story of shared human tragedy, loss, and unanswered questions. What Happened Inside the Bar The fire broke out late in the evening at a crowded bar that was popular with both locals and tourists. According to preliminary findings by investigators, the blaze may have started accidentally during routine operations behind the bar. Officials say the waitress, a young woman employed at the venue, was handling flammable materials near a heat source when the fire ignited. Within minutes, flames and thick smoke spread rapidly through the building, trapping patrons and staff inside. Emergency services arrived quickly, but the intensity of the fire and the speed at which it spread left little time for escape. The Waitress Among the Victims In a heartbreaking twist, authorities have now confirmed that the waitress linked to the accidental ignition did not survive. Her body was identified among the victims recovered from the scene. Investigators emphasized that there is no indication of criminal intent. “This was a tragic accident,” a spokesperson for local prosecutors said. “The individual involved was also a victim.” Friends and colleagues described the waitress as hardworking and kind, noting that she had been trying to do her job on an exceptionally busy night. A Locked Exit Raises Alarms As investigations continue, attention has also turned to serious safety failures at the venue. Survivors and officials report that a service door was locked from the inside, preventing escape and contributing to the high death toll. Fire safety experts say blocked or locked exits are often the deadliest factor in mass-casualty fires. “In emergencies like this, seconds matter,” said one Swiss fire safety specialist. “If exits are inaccessible, survival chances drop dramatically.” Authorities are examining whether the bar complied with fire regulations, including occupancy limits, emergency exits, and staff training. Victims From Multiple Backgrounds The fire claimed the lives of men and women from different regions and backgrounds, including hospitality workers, local residents, and tourists. Many were young, and several families have lost more than one relative. Flags were lowered across the canton as Switzerland entered a period of mourning. Local churches and community centers have opened their doors to grieving families, while counseling services have been made available to survivors. “This town will never be the same,” said one resident. “Everyone knows someone who was inside that bar.” Community Reaction: From Anger to Grief Initial public anger, fueled by reports of negligence and safety violations, has softened following confirmation that the waitress died in the fire. Many residents now express sorrow rather than blame. “She should not be remembered as someone who caused this,” said a family friend. “She died trying to work and survive like everyone else.” Nevertheless, calls for accountability remain strong—directed not at individuals, but at systems that allowed unsafe conditions to persist. Legal and Regulatory Investigation Underway Swiss prosecutors have launched a full investigation into the bar’s ownership and management. Potential charges could include violations of fire safety laws, failure to maintain emergency exits, and negligence resulting in death. Authorities stress that the investigation will be thorough and impartial. “Our focus is to understand exactly how this happened and to ensure such a tragedy is never repeated,” officials said. Fire inspectors are also reviewing similar venues across the region, signaling possible nationwide safety checks. Lessons From a Preventable Disaster Fire safety experts argue that the tragedy highlights long-standing risks in nightlife venues, particularly overcrowding, inadequate exits, and poor staff training. “This fire was not inevitable,” said one safety consultant. “It was the result of small failures stacking up—flammable materials, locked doors, insufficient escape routes.” Advocates are now urging stricter enforcement of safety codes and harsher penalties for violations. Remembering the Victims As investigations continue, memorials have sprung up outside the burned-out bar. Flowers, candles, and handwritten notes line the street, many honoring not just the patrons but also the staff who died. Among them is a photo believed to show the waitress smiling behind the bar—now a symbol of how quickly ordinary life can turn into tragedy. “She went to work and never came home,” said a mourner. “That could have been any of us.” Conclusion: Tragedy Without Villains, Only Loss The confirmation that the waitress linked to the accidental fire died in the blaze adds a painful layer to an already devastating event. It shifts the narrative from blame toward a broader reckoning with safety, responsibility, and prevention. As Switzerland mourns, the focus now turns to learning from the disaster—honoring the victims not through anger alone, but through meaningful change that ensures such a tragedy never happens again.
By Aarif Lashariabout 16 hours ago in The Swamp
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