The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia is once again bringing the situation to the edge of disaster. There are fears that Europe might go through a “Chernobyl 2.0” scenario. Apparently, the Russian forces bombed the Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex from Ukraine, according to Fox News. However, Russia denies the accusations, saying that Ukrainian forces are to blame.
CNN now reveals that the UN nuclear watchdog’s head urged the need for international and immediate inspection of the nuclear plant. The official also says that the situation had reached what he calls a “grave hour.”
However, there is still some good news. Here’s what Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has to say, as CNN quotes:
“IAEA experts believe that there is no immediate threat to nuclear safety,” but “that could change at any moment,” he said.
Grossi added, as the same source quotes:
“Any military action jeopardizing nuclear safety, nuclear security, must stop immediately,
“These military actions near to such a large nuclear facility could lead to very serious consequences.”
Energoatom, meaning Ukraine’s state nuclear power firm, stated a few days ago that a nuclear catastrophe was incredibly avoided but that miracles don’t last forever, according to Fox News.
Daryl Kimball, who is the Executive Director of the Arms Control Association, reminds us that the buildings surrounding the facility cannot withstand military combat. He stated for the Washington Post and as quoted by Fox News:
This is particularly dangerous because these buildings are not built with the same kind of reinforced concrete that the reactor containment building is,
These places were not designed as fortresses against external missile or artillery strikes.
Stay tuned for more news on the subject!