Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has said that closing access to the airspace over Ukraine's nuclear facilities (zone A2/AD) is the only way to prevent a new tragedy.

"Today, I am addressing the international community. First, I want to thank our partners for their support. All of Europe understands that they are sending aid to Ukraine because hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians today, at the cost of their lives, the lives of their relatives and even children, are holding back the aggressor from invading the territories of other countries. At the same time, NATO refuses to close the sky over Ukraine. There are few arguments about murders, targeted bombing and rocket attacks on residential buildings, hospitals, maternity hospitals and kindergartens, about the destruction of one of the European nations in the 21st century," Reznikov said in his address.

The minister said that in this case, everyone who blocks the closure of the sky over Ukraine should remember April 1986, when the tragedy occurred at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant.

"Today, we are talking about Zaporizhia NPP, about the largest in Europe. The consequences of the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant with only one power unit were catastrophic for the world. Now imagine what will happen if another Russian missile hits Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which has six power units," Reznikov added.

He recalled that at the moment the site of Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, as well as the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, are under the control of the Russian armed forces.

"Targeting Enerhodar with its Zaporizhia NPP was no accident. These are targeted actions. Russia committed an act of nuclear terrorism. We were miraculously lucky, the fire was eliminated. But tomorrow you may not be so lucky," Reznikov said.

The minister said that if an explosion occurs at Zaporizhia NPP, the consequences will be devastating not only for Ukraine, but for the whole world, since a nuclear disaster of this magnitude will exceed all previous accidents at nuclear power plants, including Chornobyl and the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

"Therefore, the question is: is the world ready for a catastrophe six times more powerful than the Chornobyl nuclear power plant? Are all those who are now hesitating whether it is necessary to close the sky over Ukraine, to sacrifice the life and health of not only Ukrainians, but also their children? This is not about the war, which is somewhere far away in Ukraine. This is about your safety. And about nuclear danger for the whole world. So, assess the situation. Ask yourself the question: are you ready to just hope that the rocket does not fly to the nuclear power plant, as they "accidentally do not fly" hitting houses and kindergartens," Reznikov said.

He said that precautionary sanctions were not applied.

"Everyone is watching from afar on television, what these fluctuations have led to. It is impossible to observe a nuclear catastrophe from afar. Your arguments that the current refusal to implement A2 / AD is due to the fact that NATO is trying to avoid a nuclear war is not convincing, since Russia has already started it. Historical lessons are difficult and should be taken into account," the minister said.

Reznikov urged world leaders to listen to their people.

"Yesterday's Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that outrage over Russia's invasion of Ukraine is growing. About 74% of Americans, including most Republicans and Democrats, said the United States and its allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization must introduce the no-fly zone in Ukraine," he said.

Reznikov said that, without any exaggeration, the only way for everyone to survive is the A2 / AD zone.