An accident at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear 

Power Plant could even endanger 

Asia, Parliament

KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO – THURSDAY, 11 AUGUST 2022

MPs of the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian Parliament, are considering withdrawing state enterprise Energoatom’s operating licence for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) due to its loss of control over the plant.

Source: a statement on the parliament’s website

Quote: "Article 33 of the Law of Ukraine On the Use of Nuclear Energy and Radiation Safety determines that the operator, in this case Energoatom, shall ensure nuclear and radiation safety and is responsible for nuclear damage, including financial damage.

According to Article 32 of the law, the licensee bears full responsibility for the radiation and physical protection and safety of the nuclear installation or radioactive waste management facility in accordance with the licence.

Therefore, MPs believe it is necessary to consider the issue of withdrawal of the licence at the highest level, as Energoatom has lost control over the ZNPP with all the respective consequences, and to inform the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] and the UN accordingly."

Details: The Verkhovna Rada also stated that if an accident occurs at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, it could endanger not only Ukraine, but also Europe and even Asia.

Quote: "The consequences that an accident at the ZNPP could cause are life-threatening and could also lead to a nuclear disaster. At the same time, radioactive contaminated air masses could pose a danger not only to Ukraine, but also to Europe and even Asia.

Radioactive pollution can cause irreparable damage to the environment, nature, and human life and health. Increased doses of radiation lead to an increase in the cancer morbidity rate in humans, pathologies in newborn babies, and genetic mutations."

Background:

• On 5 August, Energoatom reported that the Russian invaders once again fired on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). Three strikes were observed near the industrial site and a high-voltage power line was hit.

• Later, the Russians hit the ZNPP using a multiple rocket launcher, hitting one of the power units with a projectile where the nuclear reactor is located.

• On the evening of 6 August, the Russian army fired rockets at the town of Enerhodar, hitting the site of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant directly next to the area used for storing the spent nuclear fuel.

• On 11 August, Russian forces fired at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and the adjacent territory four times.