An attack by Russian troops caused a fire at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. A military professor at the National Defense College recalls that nuclear power plant areas are protected from military use of force.
A Finnish military expert considers Russia’s attack on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant to be “stopping the blood”. Military Professor at the National Defense College, Lieutenant Colonel Janne Mäkitalo recalls that nuclear power plant areas are protected from the use of military force.
– It is completely incomprehensible that there has been an attack in that area. If Russia wants to cut off the power supply to a nuclear power plant, then there are just enough power lines to hit. It does not require progressing to the power plant area, Mäkitalo says in ‘s morning interview.
An attack by Russian forces caused a fire at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. The fire broke out in the teaching building of the nuclear power plant in the morning of Finnish time.
– Probably the leaders and analysts of European nuclear and radiation safety institutions could not imagine the day when the phone rings in the morning and it is said that the Russian armed forces have attacked the area of Europe’s largest nuclear plant, used fire and some buildings are on fire, Mäkitalo says.
Ukrainian authorities said after the morning that the fire had been extinguished. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the fire has not affected equipment important to the safety of the nuclear power plant.
Mäkitalo reminds that a worse outcome would have turned against Russia itself.
– If it had happened that the reactor had started to leak, it would not be a long way to Russia. Not to mention the Russian armed forces. Nonsense.
Russia’s gaze has turned to civilian targets
According to Mäkitalo, the targets of the Russian armed forces have now changed significantly. Troops are focusing on critical infrastructure, and increasingly also civilians.
– Putin and the leadership of the armed forces will probably explain to themselves that energy, heat and water are such targets that are worth hitting. Yes, they are not military targets, but they can be used to undermine the unity of the Ukrainian people. In practice, it is just a deterioration in their living conditions.
Mäkitalo believes that this approach will still turn against Russia.
– With this, it proves that it is an aggressor and works against all humanitarian principles.