Ukraine: "Russia Installed Explosives on Nuclear Plant Roof"...Concerns Over a Second 'Chernobyl'

IAEA "Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Rooftop Must Be Opened"
Russia "High Risk of Ukraine Planning Sabotage"

The Ukrainian government has warned that Russian forces controlling the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant have installed explosives on the plant's roof and may detonate them soon. Conversely, Russia criticized Ukraine for allegedly plotting to destroy the nuclear power plant. As Ukraine's counteroffensive intensifies, concerns are growing about the risk of destruction to the strategically located Zaporizhzhia plant on the southern front, raising fears of a second Chernobyl disaster.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to CNN on the 5th (local time), the Ukrainian military stated in a press release the previous day that "intelligence has been received indicating that explosive devices have been installed on the roofs of reactors 3 and 4 at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant," adding that "Russian forces may carry out a detonation attack in the near future." This warning comes amid increasing pressure on the Ukrainian front lines, suggesting that Russia might destroy the Zaporizhzhia plant and withdraw, similar to the earlier destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in the Kherson region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed concern. He said, "I conveyed my worries to French President Emmanuel Macron regarding Russia's dangerous provocations at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine," and added, "We have agreed to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to control the situation as much as possible."

On the other hand, Russia strongly criticized Ukraine for allegedly plotting to destroy the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. According to Russia's TASS news agency, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said at a press briefing the previous day, "The Kyiv regime is preparing sabotage operations against the nuclear power plant, and the situation is very urgent," adding, "This could lead to catastrophic consequences."

Renat Karchadov, an advisor to Russia's state nuclear power company Rosenergoatom, claimed in an interview with Russia's state broadcaster Rossiya 24 that "the Ukrainian military will attack the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant using long-range precision equipment and suicide attack drones."

Concerns are rising that if the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, explodes, radioactive contamination could affect hundreds of kilometers around the area. The region is a global granary with grain export ports, so an explosion could exacerbate the worldwide food crisis.

Maintenance and upkeep of the Zaporizhzhia plant itself have not been properly conducted, increasing the risk of safety accidents. The IAEA stated the previous day, "A major power line at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was cut off," adding, "Although the only available backup power supply has been reconnected, the situation remains very vulnerable."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.