MELITOPOL, April 10. /TASS/. Ukraine itself will be subject to the worst radioactive contamination should facilities containing nuclear components be depressurized in a potential strike from Kiev on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP), Renat Karchaa, an advisor to the CEO of the Rosenergoatom concern, has warned.
"If there is a strike resulting in the depressurization of facilities containing fissile materials, the consequences will depend on many factors. If we take even the best case scenario, of course, first of all, Russia’s territory and the territory of Ukraine up to Western Ukraine will still be affected. If the leakage is significant, Eastern Europe will also be harmed. <...> The way the winds are, Ukraine will certainly bear the brunt," Karchaa said when asked what the consequences there might be in the event of a Ukrainian strike causing a leak at the ZNPP.
He recalled that after the Chernobyl disaster traces of radioactive contamination were found in Sweden and Denmark. Karchaa emphasized that Ukraine's Western handlers "have done their due diligence about the consequences and assume that they will not be affected."
"This applies to Britain and the [United] States as well," he remarked.
At the same time, he noted, security at the ZNPP is top-notch, and all issues with the staff have been settled.
"Now there are more than 4,000 people working there. This process has already entered a working, normal, rhythmic mode. A collective bargaining agreement has already been concluded. In this sense, everything is normal there," Karchaa said, adding that Ukraine failed to achieve its aim of scaring ZNPP personnel.
"Tension is present, an air or missile alert is announced several times a day, unfortunately. The people are used to this abnormality, though. But on the other hand, this habit of living in abnormal conditions, together with professionalism, of course, ensures nuclear security," Karchaa concluded.
For the past few days, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been attacking the ZNPP with drones almost daily.
On April 5, a Ukrainian kamikaze drone hit the area of the cargo port and the nitrogen-oxygen station; the next day, a strike hit the river cargo port located nearby. On April 7, Ukrainian troops attacked the ZNPP three times with drones: a truck that had just delivered food to a canteen was damaged and three people were injured. One of the drones hit the roof of Unit 6. On April 8, a kamikaze drone was shot down over the NPP. Its debris also fell on the roof of Unit 6. On April 9, the ZNPP's press service reported that the building housing the world's only full-scale reactor hall simulator was attacked.
ZNPP
The Zaporozhye NPP, located in Energodar consists of six power units with a total capacity of 6 GW. It is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. The facility was taken under control by Russian forces in late February 2022. Since then, Ukrainian army units have been periodically shelling both residential areas in Energodar and the NPP’s premises, using drones, heavy artillery and multiple rocket launchers.