The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine
Kyiv/Washington/Beijing: The Russian military fired at the power units of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant – the largest nuclear facility in Europe – last night around 1.37 am, that pressed the panic button across the world. A fire broke out in the plant and the Zaporizhzhia NPP immediately reported that the shelling of the nuclear facility was a threat to the whole world.
The operator of all operating nuclear power plants of Ukraine, Energoatom, appealed to the world community that the heavy weapon shelling of the power units of the Zaporizhzhia power plant, which is situated in in Enerhodar, was a “severe violation of nuclear and radiation safety which can lead to hard and tragic consequences for the whole world!”
The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine reported that by today morning, the platform of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station was seized by the Russian military forces. “The operational staff controls the state of the nuclear blocks and provides their service according to the requirements of the technological regulations for the safe service,” it stated.
The head of Energoatom national company warned thereafter that each of the 6 reactors of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Plant was fully loaded with nuclear fuel. A missile strike into one of them would lead to a nuclear disaster. “The staff of the NPP is cooling down the reactors and transferring them into a safe state to avoid the worst case scenarios. Even if the NPP is turned off fully, the Ukrainian electrical grid will still remain balanced. Avoiding nuclear disaster remains priority #1, but Ukraine needs the help of international partners to ensure this,” he warned.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) stated that the consequences of a potential disaster at the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant could exceed even Chernobyl. “The area of the NPP is currently held by Russian invaders, whose actions earlier led to a fire in the some of the buildings. Currently, the fires have been extinguished and the staff of the NPP is handling normal operations. The MFA calls on our partners to force Russia to withdraw its troops from nuclear objects and create a safe zone near them,” the MFA stated.
The U.S. embassy in Ukraine stated today that “It is a war crime to attack a nuclear power plant. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s shelling of Europe’s largest nuclear plant takes his reign of terror one step further.”
In Washington, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, spoke with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to receive an update on the fire at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Biden joined Zelenskyy in urging Russia to cease its military activities in the area and allow firefighters and emergency responders to access the site.
Biden also spoke with Under Secretary for Nuclear Security of the U.S. Department of Energy and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Jill Hruby to receive an update on the situation at the plant. The White House said that the US President will continue to be briefed regularly.
In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin today told reporters that China was “gravely concerned” about the safety and security situation of nuclear facilities in Ukraine. “According to information obtained by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from the Ukrainian nuclear regulatory authorities, no damage has been found to essential equipment of the relevant Ukrainian nuclear power plant and the background radiation levels remain unchanged. We will continue to closely monitor the developments of the situation, and call on relevant parties to keep calm and exercise restraint, prevent further escalation of the situation and ensure the safety of relevant nuclear facilities,” Wenbin said.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg termed developments around the nuclear power plant as “Reckless actions”.
Stoltenberg stated that NATO allies had already strengthened their deterrence and defence on land, in the air, and at sea. “Allies from North America and Europe have sent thousands more troops to the eastern part of the Alliance. We are deploying the NATO Response Force for the first time. And we have over 130 jets at high alert. And over 200 ships from the High North to the Mediterranean. We will continue to do what it takes to protect and defend every inch of NATO territory,” he said.
Stoltenberg informed that today, in response to Russia’s aggression, he had decided to strengthen NATO’s coordination and information sharing with Finland and Sweden. “Both countries are now taking part in all NATO consultations about the crisis. And this afternoon, I will join a meeting of EU foreign ministers to address the crisis and our response,” he said.
In the meantime, an advisor in the Office of the President, Mykhaylo Podolyak, describing the President’s position on negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, said Ukraine will not agree to any demands “that will demean our fight for territorial integrity and freedom”.
The G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, today condemned Russia for the “unprovoked and unjustifiable war of choice against Ukraine, enabled by the Belarussian government”. They demanded Russia to immediately stop its ongoing assault against Ukraine, “which has dramatically impacted the civilian population and destroyed civilian infrastructure”, and immediately withdraw Russia’s military forces. “With its further aggression, President Putin has isolated Russia in the world, as evidenced by the overwhelming vote at the United Nations General Assembly condemning Russia’s aggression and calling upon it to withdraw its forces immediately,” they stated.
The G7 foreign ministers stated that they were deeply concerned with the catastrophic humanitarian toll taken by Russia’s continuing strikes against the civilian population of Ukraine’s cities. “We reemphasize that indiscriminate attacks are prohibited by international humanitarian law. We will hold accountable those responsible for war crimes, including indiscriminate use of weapons against civilians, and we welcome the ongoing work to investigate and gather evidence, including by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC),” they stated.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Ukraine today shot down a Russian Su-25 jet that it claimed was bombing civilian and residential buildings near the town of Volnovakha (Donetsk region). The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Lieutenant General Valerii Zaluzhnyi informed later in the day that another Russian Su-25 jet was destroyed. He claimed that a total of 34 enemy planes and 37 helicopters were shot down during Russia’s invasion.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence today also claimed that its army shot down a missile fired at Kyiv from the territory of Belarus by a Tu-22 aircraft.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Kharkiv said that the city was under constant Russian artillery/airstrikes targetting civilian and residential areas. “The situation is dire, the city desperately needs humanitarian corridors to receive humanitarian aid. Many buildings have no windows and the weather is expected to get very cold. Repairs under Russian fire are extremely difficult,” the Mayor said.
Russian invaders also shelled the village of Markhalivka (Fastiv region), hitting private homes and killing 5 people (3 children). “Rescue services are trying to save a woman trapped under rubble,” the State Emergency Service stated.
In Kherson city, Ukraine claimed the Russian invaders were blocking efforts to create a humanitarian corridor to supply vital humanitarian goods to the city. It further claimed that a school building was shelled by Russian forces in the city of Zhytomyr. Preliminary reports indicated no deaths, and emergency services were on the site.
Ukrainian President’s Advisor on Childrens’ Rights claimed that so far 28 children had died, 64 had been injured due to Russian airstrikes and shelling, including orphans and special needs children. “Many cities have no medical or humanitarian aid. Women are giving birth in bomb shelters. Ukraine desperately needs help from the Red Cross and the international community for humanitarian aid “green corridors”. The humanitarian disaster is getting worse,” he said.
Ukrainian Ministry of Defence in the meantime alleged that Russian forces were bringing in people from occupied Crimea to stage a fake protest “in favour of Russia” in Kherson city. It claimed that around 80 individuals had been brought in so far. “There are also reports that the occupiers have stolen Ukrainian shore guard uniforms. Ukrainian authorities warn to be aware of staged events and propaganda,” it stated.
– global bihari bureau
