Fuel reservoir damaged at Zaporizhzhia NPP under occupation: Potential threats to station
Archived photo: a fuel tank has been damaged at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant under occupation (GettyImages)
A diesel fuel tank has been damaged at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is under Russian occupation, states the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi on Twitter (X).
According to him, the fuel spilled from the damaged tank was enough to power the station's emergency generators for 25 days.
"Russians not only stole the plant, but they are unable to manage its basic safety. This incident is the direct result of Russia's reckless replacement of licensed Ukrainian experts with unqualified, temporary Russian operatives," Tykhyy wrote.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson believes that if this situation is allowed to continue, it will only lead to more accidents and dangers.
"ZNPP must be returned to Ukrainian control; this is the only way to prevent further incidents," he emphasized.
Control over Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
The Russian army captured the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant at the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Under Russian control, the plant periodically disconnects from the backup power supply.
IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi has previously stated that the situation at the ZNPP remains unstable due to constant shelling.
It is also noteworthy that US President Donald Trump, during a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, discussed issues related to power plants and nuclear facilities in Ukraine. Trump reportedly said that the US might be able to assist Ukraine in managing them.
Later, Zelensky confirmed that during his conversation with Trump, the US president inquired about the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the possibility of US involvement in its restoration. During the conversation, Trump asked if the Ukrainian government would be open to the idea of the US modernizing the ZNPP.
In response, Zelensky emphasized that the Zaporizhzhia NPP is state-owned, and Ukraine has no intention of transferring ownership to any other country. However, he stated that the US could invest in its restoration and modernization.
Yesterday, the Russian authorities declared that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is a Russian nuclear facility and that Russia will not transfer it to any other state.
For more details on why the US is interested in control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and whether it is possible, see the material by RBC-Ukraine.
