Ukraine: Safety of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant at Risk

The Ukrainian state company "Energoatom," responsible for managing the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, warned on Wednesday that Russia intends to evacuate more than 3,000 workers from the city that supplies the workforce for this plant. "Energoatom" stated that the plant, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, is currently facing a "catastrophic shortage of skilled personnel," and the evacuation of Ukrainian staff residing in the city of "Enerhodar" would exacerbate the "very urgent problem of insufficient manpower to ensure the safe operation" of the Zaporizhzhia plant. Ukrainian officials have expressed similar warnings in recent days. From the early stages of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, control of this plant and how to ensure its safety and security has been disputed. Due to attacks by Russian forces, the plant has experienced multiple fires, all of which were extinguished. It is reported that in the event of an explosion, the plant could release energy equivalent to 10 times that of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), affiliated with the United Nations, has repeatedly expressed concerns about the safety and security of this plant due to its proximity to the battlefield between the two countries and regarding the conditions of the plant's staff. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the Agency, said on Sunday that the situation around the plant "is becoming increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous," emphasizing the need to protect the plant and adding: "We must act now to prevent a severe nuclear accident and its consequences for people and the environment." "Energoatom" has stated that it will make every effort to ensure the safety and security of the Zaporizhzhia plant by mobilizing groups of staff who are still in areas controlled by Ukraine, as well as specialists from other nuclear power plants in the country. The Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred in May 1986 after an explosion at one of the reactors of this nuclear power plant in the former Soviet Union and is considered the worst nuclear disaster in history in terms of costs, casualties, and consequences. Concerns about a nuclear disaster following the shelling of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant continue, with Russia stating that about 1,700 residents from areas near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant have been evacuated. Zelensky stated that Russia has taken the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant hostage. The deployment of Russian missile launchers at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is a violation of "nuclear safety regulations" by Russia.