War in Ukraine: What is the risk of disaster at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant?

The UN nuclear agency has called for the creation of a demilitarized zone around the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex.

The UN atomic energy agency has launched a call for the creation of a demilitarized zone around the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex in Ukraine.

“While continued bombing has not yet triggered a nuclear emergency, it continues to pose a continuing threat to nuclear safety and security with a potential impact on critical safety functions, which could have radiological consequences of great safety,” he says. Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its latest report.

• Will Ukraine’s Counteroffensive Change the Fate of the War with Russia?
• Russia cuts gas to Europe due to war and price dispute

Experts have detected extensive damage to the nuclear power plant, which is at the forefront of the war in Ukraine.

- Advertisement -

“The IAEA is still seriously concerned about the situation at the ZNPP (Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant) – this has not changed,” the report said.

But, ultimately, how can fighting damage the power plant, and how serious can a nuclear accident on the ground be?

What happens at the nuclear power plant?

Russia took over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in early March, in the second week of its invasion of Ukraine.

Between the Ukrainian and Russian forces surrounded the power plant near the town of Enerhodar and when one of the buildings in the complex caught fire, causing concern in Europe.

The facility has six pressurized water reactors and several deposits of radioactive nuclear waste.

At the time, a Ukrainian personnel claimed that the facility was “directly bombed” and that one of the reactors was damaged.

The fire in the complex was finally put out, but was there an emergency UN Security Council meeting after the incident? and the bombing of the facility was internationally condemned.

Russia responded by claiming that “Ukrainian saboteurs” caused the fire.

Security concerns at the Zaporizhzhia facility have been heightened since mid-July, with Russian forces being accused of firing from areas close to the facility.

Ukraine’s nuclear agency said that Russian rockets damaged part of the facility; Meanwhile, Russia accuses Kyiv forces of firing at the complex.

At various times, has the factory cut off its access to external sources? It is very important for safe operation.

What is the worst possible scenario?

The most obvious risk of one of the reactors being hit by a projectile or rocket is that it could damage the outer containment barriers. Reactors are designed to withstand a certain amount of external pressure or damage, but cannot withstand the direct impact of heavy ammunition.

If a reactor’s shield or cooling system is damaged, radiation leakage is likely. There is also a risk of nuclear or hydrogen explosion.

“If a rocket hits one of the reactors, the subsequent radiation leak will have consequences for Europe and the Crimea. [anexada pela Rússia] Before the release of the IAEA report, Olha Kosharna, an independent expert on Ukrainian nuclear energy, said.

Russian physicist Andrey Ozharovsky, who specializes in the safe disposal of nuclear waste, said that if an accident occurred at the Zaporizhzhia plant, it would result in the release of large quantities of radioactive cesium-137, a byproduct of nuclear fission. It is known for its ability to travel long distances in the air.

• How did cesium-137 at Goiânia put Brazil on the map of the worst radioactive accidents in the world?

Would the breakdown of cesium-137 have potentially disastrous consequences for human health? and can also cause contamination of farmland, which will affect crops for years to come.

In addition, more distant countries may be affected, depending on the weather and the direction and strength of the wind.

In addition to the reactors, the nuclear waste storage facilities at the Zaporizhzhia plant also pose a risk. According to nuclear experts, if they are hit by a rocket or bombed intentionally or accidentally, this will have dangerous consequences.

What can the international community do?

Attacking nuclear power plants is prohibited by the Geneva Conventions. According to Additional Protocol 1 to the 1949 Conventions, dams, dams and nuclear power plants should not be attacked if they could cause “serious” civilian casualties due to flooding or radioactivity.

However, if a power plant is used for military rather than civilian purposes, it can become a legitimate target for an attack.

Similar regulations apply to military targets located near other types of dangerous infrastructure.

Has Ukraine previously asked the international community to “close” the Zaporizhzhia plant? that is, to provide air defenses that can prevent any direct attack on the facility.

But this seems unlikely, as countries supporting Ukraine fear that the law could be interpreted as direct involvement by Russia in the conflict.

The text is adapted from the previous article by Artem Voronin.

– This text was published at https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/internacional-62821065.

Did you know that the BBC is also on Telegram? subscribe to the channel.

Have you watched our new videos on YouTube?? Subscribe to our channel!