Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant faces unprecedented threats amid military occupation

According to an article posted on its website, EcoNews explores the growing concerns surrounding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which has become a focal point of global attention. 

ZNPP in eastern Ukraine has become a major international concern due to the ongoing conflict in the region. Captured by Russian forces in 2022, the plant has since faced multiple threats, including fires, military action, and damage to its infrastructure. Despite reassurances from nuclear safety experts about the plant's safety protocols, these events have underscored the urgent need for global safeguards to protect such facilities during times of armed conflict.

The situation around Zaporizhzhia has fueled fears of a potential disaster, with fires, power outages, and shelling near the site. However, experts argue that a catastrophic explosion similar to Chernobyl is highly unlikely. Unlike the graphite-moderated reactor at Chernobyl, Zaporizhzhia uses pressurized water reactors (PWRs), which lack combustible materials and are housed in large steel and concrete containment domes.

These modern reactor designs significantly reduce the risk of a dangerous radioactive release. However, the loss of power poses serious risks, as the cooling systems essential for maintaining safe temperatures in the reactors and spent fuel pools could fail. Although emergency diesel generators are available as a backup, the plant has had to rely on this system seven times since the conflict began, putting additional strain on safety protocols. The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam has further compounded these risks by limiting access to cooling water, making the situation even more precarious.

The situation at the ZNPP represents an unprecedented scenario: a nuclear facility turned into a military target. Continuous shelling, drone strikes, and even the presence of landmines on the premises heighten the risk of a nuclear incident, exacerbated by the plant's occupation by Russian forces.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has dispatched inspectors and recommended the creation of a demilitarized safety zone around the site. However, these proposals remain unimplemented. The IAEA has highlighted that all seven pillars of nuclear safety are compromised at Zaporizhzhia, including the protection of critical infrastructure and the prevention of the facility’s military use.

Global responses have been mixed, with legal uncertainties hindering a decisive reaction. The Geneva Conventions and IAEA protocols do not explicitly prohibit military actions against nuclear plants, leaving the ZNPP in a dangerous legal gray area. As a result, calls for a specific treaty to protect nuclear facilities during armed conflicts remain unresolved, underscoring the urgent need for international consensus on the issue.

Despite the risks at Zaporizhzhia, Europe and other regions are better equipped to respond to nuclear emergencies than they were decades ago. The lessons learned from the disasters at Chernobyl and Fukushima have spurred the development of stricter standards, guidelines, and improved coordination across Europe and the US.

In Europe, the IAEA works with organizations like HERCA and EMSREG to bolster preparedness, even in the face of armed conflicts. Efforts include evacuation plans, communication infrastructure, and the distribution of iodine tablets to mitigate the public health risks from potential radiation exposure.

However, experts caution that while planning is crucial, it cannot replace a preventive approach. Safety margins at Zaporizhzhia continue to erode, prompting the IAEA to issue a "grace period" warning. Without proactive measures, any radioactive release—however minor—could have cross-border repercussions, significantly expanding the war’s impact on millions of people.

By Naila Huseynova