Due to a “fire that broke out as a result of the bombardments”, the Ukrainian state operator Energoatom announced on Monday, September 5, that the last operational reactor of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia had been disconnected from the network. . In addition, the International Atomic Energy Agency issued a report on Tuesday on security at the plant, which has been occupied since March by Russia.
- The last reactor of the Zaporizhia power plant was disconnected from the network
“Once again – this is the second time – because of Russian provocations, the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant has been on the verge of a radiological disaster”, denounced, this Monday evening, President Volodymyr Zelensky. While the plant had been disconnected from the external network, this Friday, the Ukrainian operator Energoatom had to disconnect the last reactor in operation in order to “extinguish a fire”. This reactor, number 6, found itself threatened after bombardments started a fire. The other five are already at a standstill, due to damage caused by the bombardments and the risk of nuclear catastrophe which ensues. The International Atomic Energy Agency said the disconnected emergency line would be “reconnected as soon as possible”.
- The IAEA publishes its report on the safety of the plant on Tuesday
The shutdown of the last reactor at the Zaporijia power plant appears to be a security measure, while the IAEA is due to report on Tuesday, September 6, on the situation of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant, the target of bombardments for several weeks. “This Tuesday, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, will publish a report on the safety, security and safeguards situation in Ukraine, including the findings of his mission to Zaporizhia, and he will report to the Security Council on UN of the mission carried out at the central”, tweeted the International Agency. Last Thursday, a UN delegation was able to go there. Present during this visit, Rafael Grossi had noted that the “physical integrity” of the plant had been “violated on several occasions”, and considered that this “could no longer continue”. While most of the IAEA experts left the plant on Friday and Monday, two are expected to stay there permanently.
In addition, the French and Ukrainian presidents spoke on Monday about “the imperative need to preserve the safety of the plant”, in the words of Emmanuel Macron. The Head of State expressed “his determination that Ukrainian sovereignty over the plant be respected” and, more generally, reiterated “France’s full support for Ukraine to be restored to its most more fundamental”. The discussion lasted an hour and a half and was hailed by Volodymyr Zelensky as having been “very meaningful”.
- Moscow opens two new factories to repair its armored vehicles
The Russian government has announced the opening of two new factories to repair armored vehicles. The decree, published on Monday, announces the creation of factories 71 and 72, whose main objective is “to repair armored vehicles and automobiles in the interests of defense”. A hidden confession to the fact that after more than six months of war, the material is starting to run out. On the economic level, while Russia is suffering from sanctions, it took advantage of the increase in energy prices to pocket 158 billion euros in the first half of 2022 thanks to its hydrocarbon exports, of which the European Union has was the main customer.
- Russia to postpone referendum in southern Ukraine
While Russia was planning to hold an annexation referendum in southern Ukraine soon, the counter-offensive by Ukrainian forces in the region should force its postponement. Without admitting difficulties in containing the onslaught of Ukraine, the Russian regional occupation administration spoke of “a pause due to current events”. In the Kherson region, Ukraine claims, in fact, to have reconquered territory and disrupted Russian supply lines. All the bridges crossing the Dnieper are “out of order”, according to the Ukrainian command, which announced on Sunday that it had destroyed an ammunition depot and, on Monday, a center where the ballots planned for the referendum were stored.