Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia power plant under threat of nuclear disaster

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The Zaporizhia plant, located in southern Ukraine and occupied by the Russian army, lives under the threat of nuclear disaster amid bombings, power cuts and repression of its Ukrainian workers.

What situation are you in?

The situation has deteriorated since the beginning of August, after Russian forces seized the plant on March 4.

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The region was the target of bomb attacks, in which Russia and Ukraine blamed each other.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which sent experts to the plant, reported “at least 12 ignitions” this weekend.

“Whoever is behind this must stop immediately,” said IAEA director Rafael Grossi.

” [ataques] It’s definitely deliberate and targeted,” he said.

According to Grossi, an on-site inspection will take place this Monday, where various types of damage have been reported, particularly “new and used fuel areas.”

The radiation level is within normal limits and the external power supply is not affected.

The head of the UN agency warned, “Although there was no direct attack on the main security systems, the bombing was dangerously close. We are talking about meters, not kilometers.”

Grossi is advising on the creation of a conservation zone around the plant. So far, without success.

What are the risks?

“Direct effect [de um míssil] In September, Rafael Grossi emphasized that it can have serious consequences, especially in reactors where spent fuel is stored and adjacent equipment.

Six Soviet-designed units at Europe’s largest facility have so far been unaffected.

They are protected by “very robust containment enclosures,” consultant Tariq Rauf, a former IAEA official, told AFP.

“But naturally, they weren’t designed to withstand a battle,” he added.

Another risk is long-term power outages. The plant’s systems run on four 750 kilovolt (kV) lines that have been damaged several times by bombing.

If the grid fails, electricity can come from other lines via a nearby thermal power plant. But these pathways are also regularly affected.

The operator already had to temporarily resort to generators. The plant has 20 in total, and its fuel reserves will allow it to operate continuously for up to 15 days.

extreme scenario

Electricity is indispensable for the operation of the pumps that circulate the water that cools the fuel in the reactor cores.

The French Institute for Radio Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) states, “A prolonged failure in cooling will lead to a combustible meltdown accident and radioactive emissions to the environment.”

According to IRSN chief executive Karine Herviou, it will be a similar scenario to the one in Fukushima (Japan) in March 2011, although it will take much longer to react when it comes to Zaporizhzhia.

russian invasion

The facility is operated by Ukrainian operator Energoatom but is occupied by the Russians and they formally annexed it in early October.

“It’s a unique situation,” Grossi warned.

In fact, considering that the Russian forces have taken over the crisis center, this situation increases even more.

In the event of a serious accident, Herviou warned, “This is very important so that the Ukrainian teams can control the condition of the facilities, take the necessary measures to limit the consequences of the accident, request external reinforcements, and warn the public.” .

Another cause for concern: Employees live under “constant stress,” according to the IAEA.

Speaking to AFP in September, Energoatom chief Petro Kotin condemned Russia’s abuses of personnel and spoke of torture, murder and kidnapping. Moscow has repeatedly denied these allegations.

21.11.2022 11:28

source: Noticias

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