Concerns are growing in Ukraine that Russia will blow up the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhya. That is why large exercises are now being carried out where authorities are trained to deal with radioactive disasters, writes ABC News.
– The situation has never been as serious as it is now, says Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s intelligence service.
Busloads of civilians arrive at the rescue workers to be scanned with Geiger meters, rinsed off and placed on stretchers. Firefighters wash off vehicles in devices rigged up between fire engines. In the extensive exercises, residents near the Russian-occupied nuclear power plant are preparing for the worst.
From the Ukrainian side, warnings about Russia’s actions regarding the plant have increased. As recently as June 22, President Zelenskyy spoke out – and then said that Russia “prepared everything“ to use the nuclear power plant in their warfare.
– There is credible information that it is prepared for detonation, including photo evidence that shows large mines around the plant, said Joakim Paasikivi, lieutenant colonel, at the time.
“Never been so serious”
The president’s information was then based on information from the country’s military intelligence service. Now the head of the unit, Kyrylo Budanov, has also commented on the situation. According to him, the Russian preparations are now “complete” – and they can now carry out a sabotage against the plant at any time.
– The situation has never been this serious, he says.
According to Budanov, Russia has placed bombs at the nuclear power plant’s cooling system. If it were to be destroyed, it would mean that a meltdown had occurred at the plant. He also believes that Russia loaded vehicles filled with explosives and parked them in several strategically selected locations on the plant’s premises.
For the rescue workers who participate in the large exercises, the risk becomes more and more tangible, even if they hope to avoid working with a radioactive disaster caused by Russian forces.
– They are unpredictable. We didn’t think the dam would blow up. But it blew up, a firefighter told ABC News.