Experts estimate that the nuclear power plant can be damaged in many ways, but they consider another dam accident in Ukraine unlikely.
The accident at the Kahovka dam has raised concerns about possible other major accidents in Ukraine, says the deputy director of the Estonian International Defense Research Center ICDS Kristi Raik.
– This event resurfaced the concern that an accident could happen at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which would be the next major disaster. That risk increased, even though the dam explosion did not directly cause it, Raik assessed in the A-studio on Wednesday.
The dam accident has been described as one of the biggest destructions of civilian infrastructure in the war in Ukraine.
During the war, the area of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant has, among other things, been the target of heavy fire. A fire broke out in the area of the nuclear power plant in March 2022. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe has been in Russia’s possession for a long time.
– The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant has always been a target where people expect or fear an accident, Raik reminded.
“Nuclear power plants and dams different targets”
It is still unclear why and how the huge Kahovka dam was destroyed. Ukraine has accused Russia of destroying the Kahovka dam. Russia blames Ukraine for what happened.
Head of the Department of Military Art at the National Defense University Pekka Turunen does not consider it likely that other large dams are at risk in Ukraine, as they are located in Ukrainian-held territories.
– It would require getting to the target and detonating it from inside the target. A solidly built dam will not be destroyed by missiles fired from afar or by indirect fire, Turunen estimates.
Nuclear power plants, such as Zaporizhia, are a separate matter.
– In nuclear power plants, the technology is more sensitive, so it may be possible to cause destruction with just one projectile when it hits the right target, Turunen said.
You can watch A-studio’s Wednesday broadcast on Areena.