Russia's impending activation of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is denied by UN representative.
UN Nuclear Agency Reports No Imminent Restart of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
VIENNA - United Nations nuclear inspectors have not detected signs of Russia preparing to immediately reactivate the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the continent's largest, according to an agency spokesperson. The statement comes in the wake of environmental group Greenpeace's alert over Moscow's suspected construction of power lines in the region, close to the facility.
Located around 440 kilometers (275 miles) southeast of Kyiv, the Zaporizhzhia plant, which contains six reactors and ranks among the world’s top 10 largest, has been a cause for concern since Russia's occupation in February 2022 during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Despite control over the plant, it has remained offline.
The nearby city of Zaporizhzhia, held by Ukraine, has witnessed attacks near the plant as the front line remains close. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) periodically visit the plant to evaluate its safety and offer assistance.
Last Tuesday, Greenpeace reported that satellite imagery indicated that Russia had begun constructing "an electricity high voltage power line" in the Russia-controlled regions of Ukraine's Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia provinces. Documentary analysis from the Associated Press corroborated this finding, observing the construction of power lines and pylons in the same area.
Greenpeace nuclear specialist Shaun Burnie expressed concern, stating, "This is some of the first hard evidence of Russian moving ahead with its dangerous and illegal plans for restarting Ukraine and Europe's largest nuclear plant at Zaporizhzhia." The IAEA, however, reported that its inspectors have not seen any notable changes at the plant indicating a preparedness to restart it soon.
Russia has refrained from acknowledging the power line project. Ukraine added a letter to the IAEA on Wednesday, expressing anxiety over the power line construction and its possible connection to attempts to illicitly reboot the plant, emphasizing that the plant remains the property of Ukraine. The note claimed these actions were a "blatant violation of international law and an infringement on Ukraine's sovereignty." It continued by asserting that "any operation of (the plant) without explicit authorization of the Ukrainian nuclear regulator is illegal and poses a direct and unacceptable threat to nuclear safety."
IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi outlined plans to discuss Russia's proposed restart of the Zaporizhzhia plant on a forthcoming trip to Ukraine and possibly Russia. He expressed the need for careful deliberation on the matter, stating, "We are going to be continuing our discussions with both parties, in particular with the Russians on this idea of (the) restart of the plant. It is a matter that requires very careful consideration."
The Zaporizhzhia plant maintains nuclear fuel in its six reactors, albeit in a so-called cold shutdown mode, shutting down nuclear reactions. The facility relies on electricity external to the plant to maintain reactor cooling and other safety systems. This power has been disrupted multiple times during the war, compelling the plant to utilize diesel generators on site for essential functions.
Further complicating plant reactivation is the deterioration of the Kakhovka Dam on the Dnieper River in 2023, significantly affecting the plant's water supply. This issue, combined with the complex geopolitical environment, adds challenges to the potential resumption of plant operations.
Sources[1] The Associated Press[2] Carnegie Endowment for International Peace[3] Outrider Foundation[4] The Diplomat
- Despite the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, the weather in Seattle has been relatively mild this week, with general news reporting a forecast of mostly sunny days and temperatures hovering around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
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