Several attacks have taken place since the end of July against the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhya in Ukraine, and both sides accuse each other of being behind the shelling. The foundations around the reactors are robust, but it cannot be ruled out that powerful rockets could destroy the reactor building, says Jan Hanberg, an expert at the Radiation Safety Authority.
However, he assesses it as a greater risk that the electricity is knocked out for some reason, for example shelling. Or that functions that involve cooling the hearth are affected.
– When cooling fails, you enter into a process similar to what happened at Fukushima. If you can’t get the cooling done and re-establish it, you see a meltdown ahead of you, says Jan Hanberg.
He does not see it as likely that a situation like that of the Chernobyl disaster occurred, when the hearth exploded and the powerful fire sent radioactive substances very high into the atmosphere.
A meltdown would lead to serious consequences for the immediate area.
– Regionally, it is very serious. For our part in Sweden, we cannot rule out that food production is affected. Radioactive substances could come with the winds if there are unfortunate winds but in that case to a limited extent.
Difficult situation for the employees
The situation for the 11,000 workers at the facility was described as dire by a representative of the Ukrainian Nuclear and Industrial Workers Union. Russia has occupied the facility since March 4 this year and troops are stationed outside.
– The physical and psychological pressure increases every day, owns Lesia Seminaka, the trade union’s international secretary to Sweden’s Radio Echo.
She also states that there are daily checks on the workers when they come to work, and that there are reports of sexual harassment and abuse against female employees.
In the clip above, you can hear more about the risks at the nuclear power plant in Ukraine.