Nuclear power plant

Russian troops have occupied Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant, with managers working at "gunpoint" after a fire caused by their attack was extinguished ...

The IAEA said in a statement that Ukraine had informed it staff held at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant since Russian military forces took control of the site a week ago were facing "psychological pressure and moral exhaustion." Petro Kotin, head of Ukraine's nuclear power operator Energoatom, later reported that management were operating at "gunpoint." He said on Telegram that Russian forces "entered the territory of the nuclear power plant, took control of the personnel and management of the nuclear power plant." The Russian government has routinely and without evidence claimed the Ukrainian government is staging "provocations" to provoke a military response by Western governments.It's the not first nuclear plant to come under threat from the Russian invasion. On the first day of the assault, Russian forces seized control of the Chernobyl power plant in northern Ukraine, the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster, according to Ukrainian officials. In a video briefing, Russian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Russian forces took the city of Enerhodar, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the territory adjacent to it on February 28. Konashenkov claimed the plant's technical staff continued regular work on the facilities, but that Ukrainian forces attempted a "monstrous provocation" in the early hours of Friday. Konashenkov also claimed the Ukrainians had set fire to the training building themselves.Smoke rises from tire barricades set on fire in Enerhoda, Ukraine, on March 3. He said that what happens next at Zaporizhzhia is "a situation that is very difficult to sustain, very fragile" while there is an active military operation and Russian forces in control. He explained that a Russian projectile had hit a building within the site, causing a localized fire, but none of the reactors were affected and radiation monitoring systems are fully functional.Ukrainian staff are still at the helm of operations at the plant, but "effective control" of the site was in the hands of Russian forces, Grossi said, adding: "I hope the distinction is clear." "We are fortunate there has not been a release of radioactive material and the integrity of the reactors has not been compromised," he said. However, he also expressed his gratitude to NATO countries that have shown support for Ukraine.Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the establishment of a no-fly zone in Ukraine by the US and it's NATO allies could lead to a "full-fledged war in Europe," but said Washington would continue to work with it's allies to provide Ukrainians with the means to defend themselves from Russian aggression.Reports of the attack on the facility emerged early Friday morning, with video of the scene showing bursts of gunfire apparently directed at the Zaporizhzhia facility before dawn.Flames could also be seen on video footage, though for some time it was unclear where the fire was or the scale of the threat posed to the facility. However, the operator and regulator have relayed to the IAEA that the situation on the ground is "extremely tense and challenging," he warned. Former CIA officer explains the challenges of tracking oligarchs' yachts'They want to kill people:' Syrian journalist compares Russia's involvement in Syria and UkraineRetired general reacts to new images of 40-mile long Russian convoy'A beacon of hope': CNN sits with composer using music to help Ukrainians 'This is what you get': Ukraine claims to have defeated convoy Woman who was inside bombed hospital gives birthEx-CIA official explains who Putin should be afraid ofUkrainians resort to desperate measures for food and waterFormer CIA officer explains the challenges of tracking oligarchs' yachts'They want to kill people:' Syrian journalist compares Russia's involvement in Syria and UkraineRetired general reacts to new images of 40-mile long Russian convoy'A beacon of hope': CNN sits with composer using music to help Ukrainians 'This is what you get': Ukraine claims to have defeated convoy Woman who was inside bombed hospital gives birthEx-CIA official explains who Putin should be afraid ofUkrainians resort to desperate measures for food and waterRussian troops have occupied Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant, with managers working at "gunpoint" after a fire caused by their attack was extinguished, according to Ukrainian nuclear officials.

Ukraine is heavily dependent on nuclear energy – it has four main power plants, with 15 reactors, generating about half its electricity. On Friday, the ...

The cooling systems rely on diesel generators, so any damage to these – or if fuel was siphoned off for other purposes – could cause an incident similar to that at Fukushima, where the plant’s power failed after a tsunami. The Chernobyl reactor used graphite to keep the nuclear reaction under control and the disaster was caused by a graphite fire. The Zaporizhzhia plant – and those at Ukraine’s other main plants, Khmelnitski, Rovno and South Ukraine – has pressurised water reactors, a more modern type that do not involve graphite. “If there’s going to be a major nuclear incident it’s because something deliberately is being done,” said Tom Scott, professor in materials at the University of Bristol. “Surely nobody is going to be that stupid. Reports from the site suggest that staff have continued to control operations. The wind is blowing towards Russia at the moment.”

TheZaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine was taken over by Russian forces Friday. "I am in Zaporizhzhia," Alexander Kopitko, a father of three, ...

"That guy, in our opinion, is willing to sacrifice a lot. "There’s a level of callous disregard of how the human rights of this population are being violated already. We want our kids to see grow and get grandkids."

One of the plants under the Russians' control is the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe.

Following recent news of Russian shelling of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, which is the largest in Europe, there is great concern ...

Water must be circulated in storage pools and the reactor even after shutdown, which means a source of electricity is required, as well as staff to monitor and manage the plant. It seems likely, at least currently, that the planners of Russia's “special military operation” will seek to capture the plant as a piece of critical national infrastructure. Such a scenario is not limited to a nuclear reactor either. With six large nuclear power reactors, there is a significant quantity of nuclear material at the site. Older reactors, such as those in Ukraine, require active measures to maintain the fuel in a safe state. To attack a nuclear power plant, especially one so close to one's own territory, is a highly risky strategy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian forces of "nuclear terror."

- The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine tweeted: "It is a war crime to attack a nuclear power plant. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian forces of "nuclear terror," according to a translation by the Ukrainian Embassy in D.C. - "Our boys have always kept the nuclear plant safe. - "The plant's staff continues to work on power units, ensuring the stable operation of nuclear facilities,” Energoatom added. What they're saying: "Russian tanks are shooting at the nuclear blocks. We made sure no provocations could happen," he continued.