The Zaporozhye nuclear power plant is the main topic of all events related to the war in Ukraine these days, because there is a possibility of a real risk of a major nuclear disaster. According to experts, the Russian army’s missile strikes from Zaporozhye could lead to the activation of six nuclear reactors with pressurized water containing radioactive waste, which could cause a nuclear explosion, since one energy unit in this nuclear power plant was turned off as the cause of these attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called these attacks “nuclear terror of Russia” which Russia is carrying out on the whole world, while on the other hand, Moscow accuses Kiev for the attack.
According to Petr Kotina, the president of Energoatom, the Russians previously placed their missile systems in the area of the Zaporozhya nuclear power plant and targeted Nikopol from there, reports Hina.
“The situation (in the power plant) is extremely tense and the tension is growing day by day.The occupiers are bringing techniques, such as rocket systems, with which they have already targeted the other coast of the Dnieper River and the area of Nikopol, 80km southwest of Zaporozhye” he said.
Western experts believe that Russia, is using the protected status of a nuclear power plant to bombard the position of the Ukrainian Army on the other side of the river, knowing the danger of possible bombing of their position and the eventual nuclear disaster it could cause.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, previously estimated that if the reactors of this nuclear power plant were to be activated, a catastrophe with the strength of “six Chernobyls” could occur, which would wipe out all of humanity.
The UN nuclear watch organization has called for an immediate halt to all military actions near Ukraine’s Zaporozhye nuclear power plants due to the enormous risk of a nuclear disaster.
Russian forces occupied the power plant in March, and employees from Ukraine are still working there.
After the attack, the employees of the power plants went on strike and demanded that they will be allowed to perform their duties unhindered “without threats and pressure”, reports Nova.rs.
One of the workers in the power plants confirmed that the Russian missile strikes forced the closure of an “energy unit”, which indicates that there is a risk of leaking radioactive waste.
The international community strongly condemned the shelling and Josep Borel pointed out that this kind of behavior is extremely irresponsible.
“This is a serious and irresponsible violation of nuclear safety rules and another example of Russia’s disregard for international norms,” Borel said, calling for the IAEA to be granted access to the plant to accurately determine the extent of the damage caused by the Russian shelling.
Emir Tutic
Eastern Europe Reporter
