Russia Identified as the 'Sole Source of Danger' for Europe's Largest Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
Russia is the 'sole source of danger' for Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and the world must be prepared act quickly in response to a potential disaster.
This was stated by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. He warned the global community about a potential Russian provocation at the Ukrainian nuclear facility that has been under Russian military occupation for a year
Russia has made technical preparations for a localized explosion at Zaporizhzhia NPP and could execute it to halt the Ukrainian counteroffensive and exert political pressure on Kyiv through certain partners.
"Global awareness of the actions carried out by the occupiers at the station is crucial for our collective security. Russia needs to understand that the world is witnessing the scenarios terrorists are planning, and the world is ready to respond. Radiation poses a threat to everyone, and the nuclear plant must be fully secured against any radiation incidents. Today marks exactly 16 months since Russian military forces took complete control over the territory and structures of Zaporizhzhia NPP," emphasized Zelensky.
The Director-General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, also expressed concern about the safety of Zaporizhzhia NPP following the disconnection of power supply from the main 750 KV transmission line on the night of July 4.
The IAEA's statement, published on their website, highlights that "Europe's largest Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost connection to the main external power transmission line in the early hours of this morning, forcing reliance on recently restored backup power sources to ensure the essential functions of nuclear safety and security."
The cause of the power outage and its expected duration are currently unknown.
The risks to nuclear safety are compounded by the fact that Zaporizhzhia NPP is situated on the front line of the Russian war in Ukraine.
Due to the disconnection of the 750 KV transmission line, Zaporizhzhia NPP had to switch to its only available backup transmission line of 330 KV for external power, necessary, in particular, for the circulation of cooling water at the plant. This 330 KV line was reconnected to the plant on July 1 after being damaged four months ago.
"While the plant avoided a complete loss of all external power, which occurred seven times during the conflict, the recent disconnection of the transmission line once again underscores the unreliable situation concerning nuclear safety and plant security," stated Grossi.
Zaporizhzhia NPP, with its six VVER-1000 reactors, holds the distinction of being Europe's largest nuclear power plant. It has been under Russian military occupation for 16 months. The plant ceased electricity generation on September 11, 2022. Five reactors remain in cold shutdown, while the fifth reactor is in hot shutdown mode to meet the plant's own requirements.