A comprehensive report highlights the precarious situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, detailing a regime of abuse under Russian control and the looming threat of a nuclear disaster.
Nataliya Gumenyuk reports for The Atlantic.
In short:
- The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant faces severe understaffing and operational challenges under Russian occupation, with critical cooling processes for shut-down reactors at risk.
- Workers report coerced employment under Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear corporation, amidst allegations of torture and abuse to maintain control.
- The potential for a nuclear disaster at the plant poses a significant threat not only to the local environment but also to the broader region, with the possibility of widespread contamination.
Key quote:
“Never in history have nuclear facilities been occupied by armed forces.”
— Serhii Plokhy, Ukrainian American historian and author
Why this matters:
The risk of a nuclear disaster in a war zone not only threatens immediate local communities but also has the potential to impact large geographic areas, emphasizing the urgent need for international intervention and support to prevent catastrophe. For further insight, read Peter Dykstra's story: Ukraine and nukes: From the Cold War to today, from nuclear weapons to nuclear power, Ukraine’s been there.
