Ukrainian Nuclear Plant Under Russian Control After Attack

Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia causes international concern

Last March 4th, Russian forces attacked and took control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi explained during a press conference in Vienna that a Russian projectile had hit the building, causing a localized fire. Fortunately, the situation was controlled before the fire spread and damaged the reactors. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the radiation levels have also remained unaffected.

Even though a major disaster was prevented, the event highlighted the possible repercussions of the destruction of nuclear sites. Zaporizhzhia is the largest power plant in Europe and produces one-fifth of the country’s electricity. Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, said the attack could have caused destruction equal to six Chernobyls, the world’s worst nuclear disaster.

“If there is an explosion, it is the end of everything. The end of Europe,” he said.

The current military operation around the site makes the situation at Zaporizhzhia “very difficult to sustain, very fragile”, as Grossi said. While the Ukrainian staff is still operating the plant, the Director-General clarified that “effective control” is in the hands of Russian forces.

Across the globe, countries voiced their opinions, condemning Russia for the potential consequences. The United States embassy in Ukraine stated that a raid on a nuclear plant was a “war crime”, while U.S. President Joe Biden urged Russia to stop its military occupation around the site.

Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister, also believes that Russian attacks “must cease immediately”. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed by saying they could “directly threaten the safety of all Europe”. The three leaders spoke with Zelensky on the phone just after news of the attack was released.

Russia’s defense ministry blamed the attack on a Ukrainian sabotage group. However, they provided no evidence to back up their claim.

Bibliography

Gill, V. (2022, March 4). Ukraine nuclear plant: Russia in control after shelling. BBC. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60613438

Lister, T., Voitovych, O., McCarthy, S., & Kolirin, L. (2022, March 5). Ukrainian nuclear power plant attack condemned as Russian troops 'occupy' facility. CNN. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/03/europe/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-fire-ukraine-intl-hnk/index.html

Wahlquist, C., & Lu, D. (2022, March 4). Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant: everything you need to know. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/04/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-everything-you-need-to-know