Installation of Rocket Launchers and Mines Inside Nuclear Power Plant... Militarization of Facility
Reckless Nuclear Plant Operation Also Controversial... Increased Risk of Radiation Leakage
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] It has been reported that the Russian military is using the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, the largest single nuclear power facility in Europe, as a military base. They are being criticized for using the nuclear facility as a shield, taking advantage of the fact that the Ukrainian military avoids airstrikes in the area. The reckless operation of the nuclear facility by the Russian military has also raised concerns about a large-scale radioactive leak.
On the 5th (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, based on statements from local workers at the Zaporizhzhia plant, residents, and Ukrainian officials, that the Russian military is using the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as an artillery base. The Russian forces have positioned multiple rocket launchers right next to the Zaporizhzhia reactor, dug trenches around the complex, and reportedly planted a large number of anti-personnel mines near the reservoir used for reactor cooling water.
The reason the Russian military is using the nuclear plant as a military base is that the Ukrainian military avoids bombing the area. Since the plant is still operational, any airstrike or shelling could pose a significant risk of radioactive leakage. Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodniuk told WSJ, "It seems Russia’s strategy is to seize critical infrastructure and use it as a shield," adding, "They cannot storm the power plant. There is only one way to regain it: completely surround the facility and politely ask them to leave."
The Russian military is also reportedly operating the Zaporizhzhia plant recklessly. Although the plant itself is still managed by employees of the Ukrainian state-owned nuclear company Energoatom, the Russian troops stationed there are threatening the staff and the safety of the plant. According to WSJ, the Russian military ordered the draining of the reservoir, which is the source of cooling water, claiming that the Ukrainian military had hidden weapons there. Without cooling water, the reactor and nuclear fuel rods could overheat, severely endangering the plant’s safety.
Recently, the monitoring channel connecting the Zaporizhzhia plant and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was cut off for three days. WSJ also reported that the plant workers are subjected to various extortions and death threats by the Russian occupying forces. Since the Russian military has planted a large number of mines near the reactor, if the reactor explodes, it could cause a massive explosion and a large-scale radioactive leak.
The Russian military has beaten employees and confiscated money under the pretext of preventing them from providing information to the Ukrainian military. Recently, employees claimed that they were even kidnapped and held hostage, with the captors demanding ransom for their release.
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