Nuclear threat again: Russia is preparing a dangerous reactor launch at ZNPP
3 October 09:02
Russia has deliberately disconnected Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) from the Ukrainian power grid and is preparing it to be connected to the Russian grid. As a next step, the occupation authorities plan to launch one of the reactors without complying with the necessary safety standards. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga announced this on social network X, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
According to him, Russia deliberately de-energized Zaporizhzhia NPP.
It was a manual shutdown, which was a test, as Russia is preparing to reconnect the plant to its power grid.
“Russia’s next step will be even more dangerous: launching the reactor under occupation – without proper cooling, without appropriate licenses and supervisory procedures. This is an irresponsible step taken only to demonstrate Putin’s control,” Sibiga said.
According to him, such irresponsible actions of Russia increase the risk of nuclear incidents.
The minister noted that Zaporizhzhia NPP should be viewed as a military maneuver.
“Every step of Russia is not only a deadly risk, but also a path to disaster. The recent blackout at the Chornobyl NPP caused by a Russian strike on the substation has once again demonstrated how Moscow uses nuclear safety as a weapon,” he emphasized.
Sibiga noted that Ukraine calls on the IAEA, its member states and all relevant partners to take all possible measures, including security guarantees, temporary ceasefire windows, unimpeded access for repair teams and the provision of specialized equipment, to allow immediate restoration work on the residual backup line and the rapid restoration of numerous independent external power sources to the plant.
As a reminder, on September 23, Zaporizhzhia NPP suffered the tenth blackout since the beginning of the full-scale war. The invaders are deliberately not restoring the plant’s connection to the Ukrainian power grid.
The plant has been without external power supply for six days, which poses a critical threat to nuclear and radiation safety.
The head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate, Oleh Korikov, warned that further ignoring the situation could lead to a radiation accident, the consequences of which would be felt not only in Ukraine but throughout Europe.
What is known about the occupation of ZNPP
Date of seizure: march 4, 2022, after the shelling of Russian troops, during which a fire broke out on the territory of the plant.
Location: Enerhodar, Zaporizhzhia region.
Consequences of the seizure: The plant became the world’s largest nuclear power plant ever seized by military action.
russia has deployed military equipment and ammunition on the territory of ZNPP and is using the plant as a shelter.
Ukrainian personnel are working under pressure and are effectively being held hostage.
Since the spring of 2024, all six reactors have been put into a “cold shutdown” state, but they still require constant cooling.
The IAEA has a limited presence at the site, but has recorded shelling, power outages, and cooling problems.
