Zaporizhia: The services warn of a Russian provocation at the Nuclear Power Plant

A Russian provocation may soon take place at the occupied Zaporozhian Nuclear Power Plant, the Ukrainian Armed Forces warned on Tuesday. They reported seeing objects resembling explosives on the roofs of two power plant blocks.

The Zaporozhian Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine has been a kind of “scare bogey” used by the aggressor since its occupation by the Russians.

On Tuesday, the Armed Forces of Ukraine informed about the “possible preparation of a provocation on its territory in the near future.”

As it was added in an entry published on social media, objects resembling explosives were placed on the roof of two power units of the power plant. Their explosion is not intended to damage the blocks, but is supposedly to illustrate shelling from Ukraine, which is falsely reported by the Russian media, the command noted.

The armed forces assured that they “do not break the norms of international law, observe and control the situation and are ready to act in any conditions.”

“No provocation by the enemy will pass” it said.

Possible explosion at the power plant in Zaporizhia?

The most important thing from the point of view of Ukraine's security, but also from the point of view of the situation at the front and the safety of the inhabitants of Ukraine, is the fact that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been in a cold shutdown state since September. 

Drinking water is the most at risk

In the event of a terrorist attack on the nuclear power plant, the release of other radionuclides is not excluded. However, in what quantities and on what territory, it would be known only after the catastrophe.

According to Ukrainian scientists, the biggest likely threat is possible water pollution. The scientist compares the release of radionuclides with spilled salt. If there is an outburst of radionuclides in the industrial areas of power plants, the “salt” can be collected. However, if it rains and washes it into the river, the water there will also become radioactive.

Therefore, the first advice for people living in the zone closest to the ZNPP in the event of a disaster is not to drink water from the Dnieper. Pareniuk also advises to store food in closed containers for the first few days, and to prepare gloves and respiratory masks in advance.