Today, a Russian attack on one of our power transformer stations in Slavutych caused a power outage that lasted more than three hours at the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant. This included the new secure containment, which protects the environment from the remains of reactor 4 after the 1986 explosion, as well as from radioactive waste and dust. It is also a spent nuclear fuel storage facility that contains 80% of all the spent fuel accumulated during the operation of the nuclear power plant – fuel elements weighing over 3,250 tons in total.
The Russians could not have been unaware that an attack on the Slavutych facilities would have such consequences for Chernobyl. And this was a deliberate attack, involving more than 20 drones – preliminary estimates suggest Russian-Iranian “shaheeds”. Some of these drones were shot down, but the attack was specifically carried out in a wave to complicate the defenses of the facility.
Meanwhile, the power outage at the Zaporizhzhia NPP continues into its eighth day. It began due to Russian shelling in the area around the NPP, and the Russians are doing absolutely nothing to remedy the situation or allow Ukrainian specialists to restore external power to the ZNPP, which should normally be in continuous operation. Russia is deliberately creating a risk of radiological incidents and, unfortunately, exploiting the weak position of the IAEA and Director General Rafael Grossi, as well as the scattered global attention.
Half-hearted or weak measures will not solve the situation. Every day that Russia prolongs the war, refuses to implement a complete and reliable ceasefire, and continues to attack all objects of our energy infrastructure – including those critical to the safety of nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities – is a global threat. In addition to the Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia plants, Ukraine has six nuclear power plants, and each of them could become a target for Russian drones and missiles.
It is crucial that European countries, the United States, and the G7 and G20 nations take real action for peace and security to the fullest extent possible. A strong response and appropriate pressure on Russia are required to protect human lives. I am grateful to everyone in the world who refuses to remain silent.
Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X
