Who bombarded Zaporozhye? After the Ukrainian victory in Kherson, and while intense fighting around Bakhmut continues in Donbas, the fate of the nuclear plant is at the forefront of Russian, Ukrainian and international concerns. “Explosions took place in the territory of this large nuclear power plant, which is completely unacceptable.” The director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Raphael Grossi, said about it on BFM on Sunday. “Whoever it is, this must be stopped immediately.” he continued, clearly worried “madness”: “People who do this know where they’re hitting. It is absolutely intentional, purposeful.”
The nuclear power plant on the left bank of the Dnieper, in front of Nikopol, is currently occupied by Russian forces. Although the IAEA was able to conduct inspections there, the situation there remains complex and tense, with Ukrainian teams still present, but also likely Russian military positions around the station sheltering to avoid enemy fire while in an attack position.
Russians and Ukrainians blame each other for the bombings. Some may use a hidden threat, escalating blackmail; others trying to win a new victory… “We all need guaranteed protection against Russian sabotage in nuclear facilities.” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced before the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. The director of the Russian nuclear agency “Rosatom” also warned about the danger of the accident.
The two allies appear to be ignoring the unwritten rules of the conflict, worries a French military source. Theoretically, risky areas are supposed to be removed from the theater of confrontation, it is said, while in Ukraine no one takes these precautions.
The Zaporijjia power plant is as symbolic as it is strategic. Russia hopes to be able to connect it to the Crimean power grid. So far he has not succeeded. For Ukrainians, regaining control of Europe’s largest power plant will ease the energy pressure on the rest of the country.
Four reactors were shut down
After the September counteroffensive, the Russian military chose to bomb the country’s civilian infrastructure to put pressure not only on the troops, but also on Ukrainian civilians, who are particularly affected by large power outages when temperatures plummet.
Currently, the Zaporizhia power plant is not connected to any electrical network. Four reactors are shut down and the last two are being cooled. The infrastructure is only connected to the electrical grid to ensure proper operation and cooling of sensitive nuclear materials. In case of bombings and destruction, the main risk will be related to the dispersion of radioactive materials. A priori, this scenario is of no interest to either side.
According to IAEA experts, dozens of explosions registered last weekend were damaged. “Radioactive waste storage building, cooling pool sprinkler systems, electrical cable to one of the diesel generators, condensate storage tanks and a bridge between the reactor and its outbuildings.” The radiation level remained at a normal level, reports the IAEA.
However, the international community is concerned. The situation is serious enough for Emmanuel Macron to get involved. The president talked with Rafael Grossi on Sunday, and with his colleague Vladimir Zelensky on Monday. “Every military victory of Ukraine, the recapture of the Kharkiv region, as well as the recapture of Kherson, Russia responds with new bombings of the main infrastructure of Ukraine.” laments the head of the state. On the front line, the Zaporizhia power plant will remain a target as long as the war lasts.
Source: Le Figaro
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.