On Friday, Russia attacked and seized Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Russia is approaching a third site – the south Ukraine nuclear power plant and now it also has control of Zaporizhzhia and Chernobyl.
On Friday the verdict was made by the US ambassador to the United Nations, “By the grace of God, the world narrowly averted a nuclear catastrophe last night.”
- Russia attacked and seized Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant
- Russia is approaching the south Ukraine nuclear plant
The UN’s nuclear observer, IAEA [the International Atomic Energy Agency], says that “None of the safety systems at the plant was affected, and there was no release of radioactive material. But it is still a very risky situation.”
The Zaporizhzhya plant – the largest in Europe, Buildings were damaged after it was hit by shelling. Russia has taken control of both the retired Chernobyl plant as well as the Zaporizhzhya plant, it is the site of the worst nuclear incident’s history. Although, scientists claimed that military attack on the reactor itself is not the only threat. But the disruption of its electricity supply can raise serious concerns.
Prof Claire Corkhill told BBC News, “For the first time this morning, I’m frightened,” Sheffield University nuclear materials expert.
The Ukrainian scientists were in the procedure of taking the reactors offline and protecting them from Russian attacks. Out of the six reactors, only one reactor is operational at the power plant is thought to be running now.
Although, reactors cannot be turned off like conventional energy supplies. It takes time to slowly cool down over 30 hours and it requires a constant electricity supply to the plant. Therefore, the disruption of the electricity supply could lead to radiation leaking into the surrounding environment.
Earlier it was experienced at Japan’s Fukushima plant following the 2011 tsunami loss of cooling like this was. At that time, power loss caused a meltdown in three of its nuclear reactors. It can cause severe immediate and long-term health impacts including cancer and more on if people are exposed to leaked radiation.
Russia may be trying to curb Ukraine’s power capabilities, Prof Corkhill said.
In Ukraine, there are four major nuclear plants and the defunct Chernobyl.
Russia is approaching a third site – the south Ukraine nuclear power plant and now it also has control of Zaporizhzhia and Chernobyl
Published By- Bharat anand
Editor – Subbuthai Padma
