image source, Archyde.com
Russian soldiers stand in front of the Zaporifia nuclear power plant.
22 minutes ago
The United Nations and other countries fear a nuclear disaster. After the bombardment of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. located in Ukraine But this isn’t the first time the power plant has been targeted. or battlefield
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that Attacks on the Zaporifa Nuclear Power Plant The south of Ukraine is an act like “Suicide”
Nuclear power plants under the control of the Russian army Since the beginning of March, it has been a target once more. Russia and Ukraine both blame each other for being behind the scenes.
“A nuclear power plant attack was a suicide. I hope this kind of attack will come to an end, and I hope the International Atomic Energy Agency. (International Atomic Energy Agency–IAEA) will have access to the power plant,” Guterres said.
The UN secretary’s remarks also came following he visited Hiroshima over the weekend. Ready to speak on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the bombing of nuclear bombs on this city. Which is considered the first city in the world to be attacked by nuclear weapons. by Mr. Guterres warned that “Humanity is playing with a loaded gun.”
what happened
Zaporizhia is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Today, the Russian military controls the plant. Since the beginning of March, or shortly following sending troops to invade Ukraine at the end of February.
The battle in the area of this power plant used to cause concerns that Damage to power plant structures might turn into a nuclear crisis. And it will be worse than when the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Melting and exploding in 1986
Fighting at the Zaporizia plant has erupted in recent days. Damage to factory structures at several points until the authorities had to shut down the nuclear reactor for safety
Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the attacks on the plant, with AFP citing Russian state news agency Tass as saying heavy weapons were dropped within 400 meters of the reactor and a “spent nuclear fuel storage area” that was vaporized. AEA warns that “Very vulnerable to a nuclear disaster”
image source, Archyde.com
Russia began its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Enerkoatom Co. of Ukraine who manages the factory issued a statement saying “Russian military continues to act of nuclear terrorism” by firing rockets at the site of the Zaporifia plant. including nearby cities
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned and accused Russia of terrorism at the nuclear plant.
“Russian terrorists have become the first in the world to use nuclear power plants… for terrorism,” which damaged three radioactive level detection systems and injured one factory worker.
image source, EPA
The factory has been targeted many times before.
Why are nuclear power plants often targeted?
Since Russian troops invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the Zaporifia nuclear power plant has been a target. or has been damaged by multiple attacks by BBC Thai compiled as follows:
- 27 Feb. – The Russian army uses heavy weapons to shoot at the power plant area. After the battle in the vicinity of Ukrainian soldiers.
- Mar 3 – A fire broke out in some buildings of the power plant. After the battle of the two sides This raised concerns that the reactor would melt, but later firefighters managed to control the fire, which later took over Russia’s control of the power plant.
- 12-13 May – Russian army fires missiles to attack the city of Zaporizhia. which is the location of the power plant
- 19 May – Russia has threatened to cut power transmission from factories to parts of Ukraine if the Ukrainian government does not pay for electricity.
- 19 Jul – Three Ukrainian drones attacked Russian military equipment and camps within the power plant site.
Zaporifa plant Electricity generation accounts for 20% of the total electricity capacity in Ukraine. and generating electricity from nuclear power accounted for nearly half of the total.
Nuclear weapons control expert Tarik Rauf explains: The reason why Russia took over the Zaporifia power plant It is to deliver electricity to the eastern area of Ukraine. controlled by the Russian army But he still mightn’t explain the motive of this attack.
“Why does the Ukrainian army attack the power plant? If there are Ukrainian civilians in there…just like Russia. Why would a power plant collapse? even with their own soldiers and experts inside.”
