Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
If the generators stop working, it could have catastrophic consequences.
If the generators stop working, it could have catastrophic consequences.
What is happening?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has sounded the alarm over escalating risks at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station.
In his nightly video address, he declared the situation “critical,” citing Russian shelling as the reason crews are unable to restore a key external power line needed to cool the reactors.
Emergency generators under strain
With the plant’s main power supply disabled for a full week, reliance on emergency diesel generators has become crucial. Zelenskiy noted that one of the generators had already failed, heightening the risk of a nuclear incident.
“This is the seventh day,” he said. “There has never before been such an emergency situation at the Zaporizhzhia plant.”
Plant relies on emergency measures to avoid meltdown
Although the Zaporizhzhia facility is not currently producing electricity, it still requires external power to cool nuclear fuel and prevent overheating.
Without it, the reactors risk a catastrophic meltdown.
This marks the tenth time the plant has been disconnected from Ukraine’s power grid since the conflict began.
IAEA monitoring closely
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated there is no immediate danger while diesel generators remain functional.
However, he warned that this backup power “is clearly not a sustainable situation in terms of nuclear safety.”
Russia’s role in crisis under scrutiny
Zelenskiy accused Russian forces of creating unprecedented nuclear risk.
“This is a threat to everyone,” he said. “No terrorist in the world has ever dared to do with a nuclear power plant what Russia is doing now. And it is right that the world not remain silent.”
IAEA calls for urgent repairs
Grossi emphasized the need for swift action, revealing that both Ukrainian and Russian sides have cited ongoing military activity as a barrier to carrying out essential repairs.
The plant is currently running on eight diesel generators, with nine others on standby and three undergoing maintenance.
Diplomatic efforts ongoing to reconnect power
“I am in constant contact with the two sides with the aim to enable the plant’s swift reconnection to the electricity grid,” Grossi said.
He urged cooperation, noting that “neither side would benefit from a nuclear accident.”
Permanent IAEA presence
To maintain oversight and improve safety, the IAEA has deployed permanent monitors not just at Zaporizhzhia, but also at Ukraine’s three other nuclear power facilities.
These teams play a key role in observing conditions and reporting potential threats.
Russia yet to respond to latest concerns
As of now, Russian authorities have not issued any public response to the latest warnings from Zelenskiy or the IAEA.
The lack of comment raises further concerns about transparency and accountability around the plant’s condition.
The looming shadow of Chernobyl
Ukraine, unfortunately, has a history regarding nuclear disasters.
In 1986, when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant had a meltdown in one of the reactors, causing the worst nuclear disaster in history.
The estimated cost of the meltdown is $700 billion.
A global concern
With both sides trading blame and repairs delayed, global nuclear safety experts are calling for immediate de-escalation and coordinated action to prevent disaster.
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, which may have used AI in the preparation
