“On 26 August, the EU received a request for potassium iodide tablets from the Government of Ukraine as a preventative safety measure to increase the level of protection around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant,” European Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.

Pointing out that the potassium iodide tablets would be used in limited scenarios to avoid that inhaled or swallowed radioactive iodine is absorbed by the thyroid, European Commission stated: “In response, the European Response Coordination Centre swiftly mobilized 5.5 million potassium iodide tablets via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for Ukraine, including five million from the rescEU emergency reserves and 500,000 from Austria.”

All military action around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant must stop immediately.

On ????????'s request, we've mobilised via #EUCivPro 5.5 million potassium iodide tablets for the safety of people living around the plant.

We continue to monitor the situation.#StandWithUkraine

— European Commission ???????? (@EU_Commission) August 30, 2022

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, has been occupied by the Russian military since March 4. Since then, Russian military have been placing military equipment and ammunition at the station, shelling the surrounding area.

The United Nations, the United States, and Ukraine called on the Russian government to withdraw military equipment and personnel from the nuclear facility. (ILKHA)