The Russian regime in charge at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control, has reported minor damage following an attack by Ukraine on the dome of a shutdown reactor, although radiation measurements remained stable. The nature of the weapon used in the assault on the plant, which fell under Russian control following the large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, was not immediately ascertainable. The plant had previously reported being targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with representatives on-site, has received information regarding a drone explosion at the location, consistent with their own findings, from the Russian-led plant. Rafael Grossi, the IAEA’s Director General, has urged all parties involved to avoid actions that might compromise nuclear safety.
The facility houses six Soviet-era VVER-1000 V-320 reactors, designed to be cooled and moderated by water, and utilising Uranium 235. It also stores used nuclear fuel on-site. Currently, four of the reactors (1, 2, 5 and 6) are in a state of cold shutdown, while the third reactor is under repair and the fourth reactor is in a so-called “hot shutdown”, as reported by the plant.
With allegations of “dome attack” of the building housing Reactor 6 by Ukrainian military forces, the site of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe remains near the front lines of conflict. Both the Ukrainian and Russian governments have recurrently charged each other with attacking the plant, hence escalating the risk of a possible nuclear catastrophe. Radiation levels in and around the plant, however, remain unchanged.
It was not immediately possible for Reuters to independently corroborate the reports from the conflict zone. So far, Ukrainian authorities have made no comment on the situation. Mr Grossi from IAEA repeatedly expressed profound worry about the power station due to the frequency of attacks. – Reuters
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