Ukraine: "Russia Attempts to Connect Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant with Crimea... Concerns Over Radiation Leakage"

Indiscriminate Power Line Shutdown... Concerns Over Cooling Function Loss
Russia Requests UN Security Council Meeting "Ukraine Must Stop Attacks"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Energoatom, Ukraine's state-owned power company, has warned of increasing concerns over radioactive leakage at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is occupied by Russian forces. The risk of losing the reactor's cooling function has become very high as the Russian military is forcibly attempting to connect the Zaporizhzhia plant to the Crimean Peninsula power grid, potentially leading to a major radioactive leakage accident. On the other hand, the Russian side has demanded a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting, claiming that Ukrainian shelling of the Zaporizhzhia plant is threatening its safety.

According to AFP on the 9th (local time), Petro Kotin, CEO of Energoatom, appeared on Ukrainian local TV and stated, "The Russian military is forcibly working to connect the power generated by the Zaporizhzhia plant to the Crimean power grid," adding, "The Russian forces have recklessly cut off the existing three power lines under the pretext of power grid modification work, which is a very dangerous operation."

He continued, "Currently, the plant relies on a single power line for electricity supply, and if even this is cut off, it will only be able to endure for a few hours using emergency generators," warning, "If power supply through emergency generators is also cut off, the reactor's cooling function will be lost, increasing the risk of radioactive leakage."

The Zaporizhzhia plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, currently producing 20-21% of Ukraine's electricity demand. Since being occupied by Russian forces in March, about 500 Russian troops have been stationed there, and safety concerns have persisted as the Russian military has established missile defense systems and military bases on site.

Conversely, Russia has requested a UNSC meeting, accusing Ukraine of continuously shelling the Zaporizhzhia plant and threatening its safety. According to TASS news agency, Russia has requested a meeting on the 11th to discuss the Zaporizhzhia nuclear issue, with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and representatives from the 15 Security Council member states expected to participate.