Ukraine Opens Fire at Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant

Nov. 20, 2022 (EIRNS)—Ukraine resumed artillery fire at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Europe’s largest NPP, after a two-month hiatus. Yesterday and today, at least 25 shells were fired, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry, reported TASS. One shell hit the roof of special building #2, which stores nuclear fuel. Initial checks around the plant for radiation indicate no leaks. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said earlier today that their specialists plan to inspect the ZNPP on Nov. 21 to assess the damage done by the latest shelling attacks.

Renat Karchaa, an adviser to the head of Russia’s Rosenergoatom nuclear power engineering company, reported to TASS that, while the IAEA inspectors are certainly to be given access, they must operate within the mandate for IAEA. He called them out for their previous irresponsible approach, pretending that Ukraine’s shelling of the facility was not a legitimate security concern. Apparently, among other things, the IAEA has held that the artillery shells have not affected any critical infrastructure.

Karchaa:

“They have come to say that the critical infrastructure is intact. And what do they think the critical infrastructure is? For instance, there are reservoirs with turbine oil and a nitrogen and oxygen plant and hydrogen reservoirs next to them. In formal terms, they are not part of a critical infrastructure. But Ukraine shelled them intensely. Can you imagine what can happen when 240 tons of oil catch fire, or when two other facilities explode? What can such fire result in? So, it is the height of cynicism to speak about noncritical damages at a nuclear plant amid shelling. Hence, the conclusion is: It is inadmissible to shoot at a nuclear plant at all!”

Of note, the renewed shelling is coherent with the “flight-forward” mania detectable amongst Kiev’s ruling circles, after they lost face in their Nov. 15 “Polish missile” operation, attempting to bring NATO and Russia into a direct military confrontation.