Dangerous games continue around the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). While the Russians, given the variety of Ukrainian attacks upon the facility over the last two years, have chosen to be cautious and have simply maintained the six reactors in a “cold” state (not generating any power), the last of two power lines going into the plant—both from Ukrainian-controlled areas—stopped over two weeks ago. The facility has been using almost half of its backup diesel generators for its minimal needs.
The staff reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that they can fix the main power line, but outbursts of artillery fire have made it unsafe to send out their repair team. Even though the IAEA has appealed for a stoppage, shelling broke out again. The ZNPP press service, as quoted by Nuclear Engineering International, reported: “The Zaporizhia NPP and the adjacent city of Energodar have once again been subjected to artillery shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This time, the shelling targeted a fire station located just 1.2 kilometres from the ZNPP perimeter.” ZNPP’s Communications Director Evgeniya Yashina told RIA Novosti that “the generators are operating normally, and there are enough fuel reserves for them.... The current situation remains tense but controlled. All necessary forces and means are available to ensure the safety of the station.”
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said the inspectors at the plant “heard multiple rounds of incoming and outgoing shelling, adding to nuclear safety risks at a time when the plant has been without off-site power for nearly two weeks…. The nuclear safety and security situation is clearly not improving. On the contrary, the risks are growing.… While the plant is currently coping thanks to its emergency diesel generators—the last line of defense—and there is no immediate danger as long as they keep working, it is clearly not a sustainable situation in terms of nuclear safety…. Neither side would benefit from a nuclear accident.”
