Russia's Attacks Raise Concerns for Ukrainian Nuclear Safety

Kyiv, Oct 2 (AP) Russia's ongoing attacks on Ukraine's power infrastructure are intensifying concerns about the safety of the country's nuclear facilities. A drone incident resulted in a power outage exceeding three hours at the site of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, and Europe's largest nuclear power plant remains off the grid, according to officials. Though neither Chernobyl nor the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is operational, they need constant electricity to maintain crucial cooling systems for spent nuclear fuel rods to prevent potential nuclear incidents.

An electrical blackout could also disable the radiation monitoring systems managed by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, at Chernobyl. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed strong disapproval of Russia's actions, accusing them of deliberately creating radiation risks. He also criticized the U.N. agency and its head, Rafael Mariano Grossi, for what he views as insufficient responses to the crisis.

“Each day of Russia's conflict, especially strikes on our energy infrastructure, poses a global risk,” Zelenskyy stated. “Weak measures won't suffice. Strong action is essential.” Despite several months of US-led peace endeavors, the war following Russia's full-scale invasion over three years ago shows no sign of resolution.

In his nightly broadcast, Zelenskyy reported that over 20 Shahed drones were used by Russia targeting energy sites in Slavutych, the city providing electricity to Chernobyl. This assault resulted in a blackout affecting the sarcophagus designed to prevent the escape of radioactive material from the destroyed reactor and the storage of over 3,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel. He offered no detail on the specific impact. Zelenskyy stated, “The Russians were fully aware of the potential repercussions for Chernobyl from striking Slavutych.”

In February, a drone equipped with a warhead struck Chernobyl's protective outer structure, momentarily igniting a fire. Authorities reported no spike in radiation levels. Meanwhile, the Zaporizhzhia plant remains separated from the grid for more than a week. This facility, one of the world's top ten largest nuclear plants, has been ensnared by wartime hostilities repeatedly. Zelenskyy attributed the power disruption to Russian artillery shelling, an accusation denied by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who blamed Ukrainian actions instead.

The plant currently relies on emergency diesel generators to keep its six inactive reactors and spent fuel cooling systems operational. While the IAEA asserts the facility is not under immediate threat, it emphasizes the urgency of reconnecting it to the grid.

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, considers Russia's occupation of Zaporizhzhia has “seriously compromised” the plant's security. It alleges that Russia intends to incorporate the plant into its electrical grid, potentially heightening security risks, diminishing Ukraine's capacity for future power production, and giving Russia leverage to legitimize its occupation of Ukraine. (AP) SKS SKS

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