Ukraine: Zaporozhye nuclear power plant suffered fire on reactors and radioactive waste

Only a few hours after the attack by Russian forces on the Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporozhye, the authorities wanted to be reassuring. I’International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — an oversight body under the aegis of the United Nations (UN) — ensured that no equipment ” essential “ had not been touched and that no increase in the level of radioactivity had not been detected.

The story told to us today by the National Public Radio American is however that of an attack which could well have turned to the nuclear catastrophe. A story based on photos and video recorded by a security camera.

Images of the Russian attack

Images first show how, in the middle of the night, a Russian column began to move towards the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. A dozen armored vehicles and two tanks. Too many for a simple reconnaissance mission. When the shooting started, it was mainly aimed at the training center and the main administrative building of the site.

But the video also shows that the Russian forces repeatedly fired heavy weapons at the buildings that house the nuclear power plant reactors. In response to Ukrainian fire? Or simply with the desire to hit sensitive areas of the plant? The question remains.

However, one thing is certain today, it is that places other than the training center and the administrative building were targeted and affected. The video shows that the number 1 reactor building suffered damage as did the transformer of reactor number 6 and the platform of combustible worn. The Ukrainian nuclear regulatory authority confirms this. And the IAEA also confirms that two of the four high voltage lines — lines essential to the safety of the installation — located outside the plant were affected.

The footage also shows how Russian forces first closed off access to the site to firefighters. Even though a fire had broken out in the training building.

Concerns remain

Footage filmed later by Energoatom, the site’s Ukrainian operator, shows damage from the attack on the side of reactor number 2. What looks like a Russian artillery shell on a bridge. And holes in the ceiling of this walkway as well as damage to the beams in steel who support the roof. All probably within 100 meters of the reactor in question.

But this is almost not the most serious. Because in reality, according to observers, the real problem would come from the fact that this footbridge runs along a building in which the Radioactive waste of the central. A building much less protected against attacks than the reactors themselves.

In conclusion, the experts seem to note that if theintegrity physics of the nuclear reactors of the Zaporozhye power plant was not in fact endangered, the systems necessary to ensure the safety of the site were indeed exposed. If more of these systems had been damaged without engineers having access to emergency backup systems, a disaster could well have occurred. One accident nuclear attack similar to that which occurred in Fukushima in 2011.

Ukrainian authorities are now concerned about the lack of parts to repair damaged areas. But also strong pressure psychological that the teams in place are subjected to.

Attack on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant: “This is an unprecedented situation! »

Last night, the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in Ukraine was the scene of a Russian attack. A fire broke out. Fortunately, only two injuries are to be deplored. The safety and security of the nuclear installation seem to be assured again. The risks of a nuclear accident seem to have been eliminated, but the situation remains “tense”according to Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director of theInternational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), himself.

Article of Nathalie Mayer published on 04/03/2022

From Ukraine, we all knew the infamous Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Especially since she was talked about again a week ago, at the start of the Russian military operation in the country. But Chernobyl is not the only nuclear power plant in Ukraine. The country has a total of fifteen reactors. Among which, the six that make up the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe.

This morning, it is she who is at the heart of the news. Because she was, that very night, the target of a Russian attack. According to Ukrainian authorities, tank fire started a fire at the site. An operation that aroused strong reactions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Russia of wanting to establish the “nuclear terror”. And Boris Johnson goes so far as to mention a “direct threat to the security of all of Europe”. But what is it really?

According to the information we have, the shots targeted an administrative building and a laboratory. As Volodymyr Zelensky so aptly pointed out, “Russian tanks are equipped with thermal sights so they know what they are doing”. We can thus assume that the attack of this night did not directly target the core of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. One of its reactors. Moreover, the localized fire that followed was brought under control. And according to theInternational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – a monitoring body under the aegis of the United Nations (UN) -, no equipment ” essential “ was not touched and no increase in radiation level was detected.

Thus, it is a safe bet that the objective of the Russian army was never to provoke a nuclear accident. But quite simply to take control of this plant which produces, according to sources, between a fifth and even a quarter of the electricity in Ukraine. Almost half of theenergy produced by the country’s nuclear power plants. Bearing in mind that the operation could have an effect collateral interesting for the great exporter that is Russia: a further increase in the price of oil.

The consequences of the attack

So why are the reactions this morning so strong? Because the whole world remembers the Chernobyl accident and the consequences it had on the region. And more broadly throughout Europe.

The Ukrainian authorities ensure that nuclear safety is now guaranteed again. The United States Department of Energy has confirmed that the power plant reactors from Zaporozhye “are protected by robust containment structures” and that they “are stopped safely”. Only one of the plant’s reactors remains in operation. “At 60% of its capacity”said Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the IAEA in a press conference held a few minutes ago.

The experts also note that, even if nuclear power plants and missile cannot mix well, the risk of explosion, nuclear fusion uncontrolled or radioactive releases are lower here than they may have been in the past near Chernobyl. Why ? Because the reactors of the Zaporozhye power plant are so-called pressurized water reactors – or PWR for pressurized water reactor. The water intended to keep this type of reactor cool – and to avoid runaway – circulates in a circuit separate from that which supplies the turbine and the exterior. These reactors are also equipped with a backup emergency cooling system. Both high and low pressure injection systems.

Some see the worst-case scenario as being at the height of the Fukushima disaster (Japan) in 2011. A tsunami then disabled the cooling system, causing significant emissions radioactive. It is therefore crucial to ensure the proper functioning of the water pumps used to cool the reactors of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. To ensure that at no time are connections cut and that transmission lines remain intact. Another identified risk: spent fuel, but still radioactive. It must also be kept cool.

“The situation remains tense”

“The situation is unprecedented”, says Rafael Mariano Grossi. The director general of the IAEA specifies that he is in constant contact with the authorities, but also with the staff of the plant. He confirms that Ukrainian personnel continue to operate the plant, even though Russian forces have taken control of the site. “Usually, I would have said that they continue to operate the plant normally, but there is nothing normal here anymore”, underlines Rafael Mariano Grossi. However, he assures once again that neither the reactors nor the spent fuel repositories have been affected. The radiation measurement systems remain functional and show no increase in activity. Corn “the situation remains tense”.

Rafael Mariano Grossi appeared determined. “Words have meaning and now we have to act on them. The time for action has come. Ukraine called for our help. I decided to go to Chernobyl. » With the idea of ​​reminding Ukraine and Russia of the fundamental principles to be respected by anyone wishing to maintain global nuclear security and safety. “When I mentioned these principles only a few days ago, all our administrators agreed without restraint. However, the first of these principles has just been flouted”underlines firmly the Director General of the IAEA, who asks to ensure, in all circumstances, the integrity physical nuclear facilities. “Luckily the reactors weren’t hit this time. Luckily… “