Russia plans to restart Zaporizhzhya NPP: serious concern from the international community
Vladimir Putin has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Russia plans to restart the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZAEP), which is currently under occupation, in the near future. This has caused serious concern on the part of the international community, as it carries significant security risks and could lead to a nuclear disaster.
According to information The Wall Street Journal, Putin confirmed plans to restart the nuclear power plant during a meeting with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in March 2024. Russian officials, however, did not disclose the details of the plan, including the timing of the station’s resumption of operations.
The International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna received technical reports written by a small group of inspectors it had dispatched to the plant. It follows from them that the Russian Federation aims to return Zaporizhzhya NPP to operation already this year.
The Wall Street Journal reports – experts who worked at the station doubt that the Russian Federation has enough technicians to ensure successful work. The station suffered significant damage as a result of the hostilities, and many skilled workers left it since the beginning of the occupation. Restarting a nuclear power plant without proper maintenance and personnel can lead to catastrophic consequences. In addition, according to experts in the field of atomic energy, the restart of the ZNPP under Russian control carries certain political and legal risks.
The new security threat is so serious that the IAEA’s board of directors held an emergency meeting to discuss the recent drone attack and called for a demilitarized zone around the station.
Ukraine condemned the plans of the Russian Federation, considering them an illegal seizure of Ukrainian energy infrastructure.