Concerns Rise Over 'Second Chernobyl' Scenario Becoming Reality... Russia-Ukraine Tensions Escalate Over Nuclear Plant Shelling

Ukraine-UN Agree to Dispatch IAEA Inspection Team to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
Russia Warns "Nuclear Plant Closure if Ukraine Continues Shelling"... Acceptance of Agreement Uncertain

Russian troops are standing guard in front of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, southeastern Ukraine. Zaporizhzhia, the largest nuclear power generation area in Europe, was occupied by Russian forces on March 4. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is currently operating at a significantly reduced capacity compared to before the war and continues to supply electricity to the Ukrainian power grid. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Amid ongoing large and small shelling at Europe’s largest Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, tensions are rising as Russia and Ukraine clash over who is responsible for the shelling. Ukraine and the United Nations have agreed to dispatch an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection team to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, but it remains uncertain whether Russia will accept this.

On the 18th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres agreed on a plan to send an IAEA inspection team to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an expressed his intention to assist in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.

On the same day, President Zelensky emphasized to Secretary-General Guterres the need for measures to ensure the demilitarization of the area around the nuclear plant and the safety of the IAEA inspection. Secretary-General Guterres also stated, "An urgent agreement is needed to restore the area around the nuclear plant as purely civilian infrastructure and to guarantee safety."

However, the likelihood of Russia accepting this agreement is low. Recently, unidentified shelling at the plant has increased the risk of radioactive leakage, but Ukraine and Russia are blaming each other for the shelling, escalating their dispute. Russia has previously warned that it might shut down the nuclear plant if Ukrainian forces continue shelling.

Currently, Russia claims that Ukrainian tactical units have installed radiation measurement posts and are conducting decontamination training at Zaporizhzhia. On the 18th (local time), Igor Konashenkov, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defense, said, "Ukraine is preparing provocations at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant timed with the UN Secretary-General’s visit," adding, "They will cause a disaster at the plant and then blame our forces."

The Russian Foreign Ministry also claimed, "Ukraine’s ultimate goal in provoking is to designate a 30 km exclusion zone around the nuclear plant due to radioactive contamination and to bring foreign troops and inspection teams into the area," further stating, "They will then hold the Russian military responsible for nuclear terrorism."

On the other hand, Ukraine points to Russia as the party responsible for the shelling. Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Intelligence Directorate, told NBC News the previous day, "We have received information that most nuclear plant staff were instructed not to report to work on the 19th." He said this directive was given to Russian personnel deployed at the plant and argued that it could be evidence of Russia planning military provocations at the nuclear facility.

Ukrainian military intelligence also reported on Facebook that Russian forces unexpectedly issued a leave directive at the nuclear plant. They expressed concerns that Russia is escalating tensions following the shelling and may be planning terrorist attacks.

Meanwhile, Russia seized control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in early March during its initial invasion of Ukraine. The plant currently has six reactors, two of which are operational.

Russian forces have strategically used the plant by deploying troops and weapons around it. According to Bloomberg News, European intelligence officials who requested anonymity analyzed that Russian forces appear to be using the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant as a shield to protect their troops and equipment.