Ukraine's energy minister denounces Russia's potential launch of Zaporizhzhia NPP as "absurd"
Photo: Ministry of Energy of Ukraine
The Minister of Energy of Ukraine, German Galushchenko, considers it absurd that Russian personnel could potentially launch the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
According to the Ministry of Energy's press service, he announced this on the air of the telethon "Yedyni Novyny."
Galushchenko stressed that the Zaporizhzhia NPP, currently under Russian occupation, lacks licensed personnel capable of initiating its operation. The recklessness of Russian specialists at the facility poses a serious threat of a nuclear accident. Consequently, the international community must take action to prevent the occupiers from carrying out such a scenario.
The head of the Ministry of Energy noted that only Ukrainian specialists are licensed to operate the plant, and terrorists are currently not allowed at the ZNPP.
"Even if we imagine that the Russians will gather specialists in Russia and bring them to the station, then they will be unlicensed personnel. Their launch of the station is absurd. It is impossible neither in the context of Ukrainian legislation nor even Russian and, of course, international law," the minister noted.
In addition, Herman Halushchenko emphasized several significant technical problems at the occupied facility, particularly the end of the terms of use of nuclear fuel and the lack of sufficient volumes of water for the operation of reactors.
"The problem with supplying water to the station arose after the Russians destroyed the Kakhovka Dam. And if there is enough water in the coolers for six units to be idle, then completely different volumes of water are needed to run the ZNPP," he explained.
The minister added that the occupiers' attempt to meet the station's water needs by developing wells also did not meet any standards.
For reference:
The Zaporizhzhia NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. It was occupied in the first weeks of the full-scale Russian invasion.
The Russians turned the nuclear power plant into a military facility, stationing soldiers and equipment there. The occupiers also mined the territory of the station. Ukrainian personnel work at the NPP, although the Russians sent their so-called "management" from Moscow. A monitoring mission of the IAEA is also stationed at the ZNPP.
On April 9, Russia raised its propaganda efforts to a new height. By accusing Ukraine of carrying out drone attacks on the ZNPP, they are attempting to conceal their own intentions.
Later, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine stated that on April 9, the Russian occupying forces once again simulated an attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with the help of drones. Ukraine's intelligence emphasized that Ukraine does not commit any military actions or provocations regarding the station.
Also, on April 18, the training center of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was attacked by an attack drone.
It should be noted that the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approved the resolution regarding the immediate return of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Ukraine's full control.
Розвідка показала відео, як війська рф використовують дрони-камікадзе над ядерними реакторами ЗАЕС
Зеленський заявив, що весь світ зобов'язаний чинити тиск на росію, щоб забезпечити звільнення ЗАЕС
