"The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant , which has six reactors, was captured by Russian troops early in the full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It has remained a dangerous potential flashpoint for a nuclear disaster ever since. Fighting and bombardments by both sides of the complex and the power station itself, which has been entirely occupied by Russian forces who base troops in its buildings, has forced the "cold shut down" of the reactors."
"Fighting cut electricity from Ukraine which meant that the cooling system had to rely entirely on diesel generators running the power station with a skeleton staff for a month. Regular power was only restored in the last week after the longest time that the ZNPP had been disconnected from electricity to drive its cooling systems. Russia needs to cut the Ukrainian power link in order to install its connection into the Russian network - a long-stated ambition."
Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, with six reactors, remains under Russian occupation since early 2022 and constitutes a major nuclear risk. Combat and bombardment around the site forced a cold shut down, leaving nuclear material non-operational but requiring continuous cooling. Electricity cuts left cooling systems dependent on diesel generators and a skeleton crew for about a month before regular power was restored recently. Russian forces seek to disconnect the Ukrainian grid link to connect the plant into the Russian network, a process complicated by damage to Russian lines and the need for converter stations. The Kakhova Dam destruction drastically reduced the plant's water supply, heightening contamination concerns.
Read at Irish Independent
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