The Perils of Warfare Around Nuclear Reactors: Risks and Concerns of the Situation at Ukraine's Power Plants

The Situation at Ukraine's Nuclear Power Plants

Ukraine relies heavily on nuclear energy, with a network of 15 reactors spread across four power plants, supplying over fifty percent of the nation's electrical needs. However, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 has raised serious apprehensions regarding the safety and stability of these facilities. In the early days of March, Russian military forces launched an assault and successfully seized control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, a significant nuclear establishment, acclaimed as the largest in Europe. The international community was struck by this audacious move, while experts in the field of nuclear energy expressed deep concerns about potential calamities if such military operations persisted in the vicinity of critical infrastructures. Ever since gaining control of the site, there have been alarming reports of shelling in nearby regions surrounding the plant. Both Russia and Ukraine have engaged in a blame game, each accusing the other of perpetrating the attacks.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has urgently called for a halt to all military activities in the vicinity of Zaporizhzhia, advocating the establishment of a designated nuclear safety and security protection zone. Regrettably, Russia has yet to agree to these proposals. The Director General of IAEA, Rafael Grossi, has expressed profound apprehensions regarding the prevailing situation, underscoring the very real prospect of a nuclear accident, with potentially dire radiological consequences. The head of Ukraine's state nuclear company has also issued a stern warning, asserting that even the slightest miscalculation could trigger a catastrophic fallout at the nuclear site.

The Risks of Warfare Around Nuclear Reactors

Military confrontations around nuclear power plants entail significant risks. Stray artillery shells or bullets could severely damage reactor cooling systems, resulting in fires that could disrupt crucial safety equipment or interrupt off-site power supply, necessary for the functioning of reactor cooling pumps. While the reactors themselves are sturdy structures, they rely on active systems to eliminate decay heat and avert meltdowns. Sabotage poses yet another threat, with potential acts targeting spent fuel ponds, leading to the release of hazardous radiation. The situation becomes even more perilous when forces in control of a nuclear site lack familiarity with the specific reactors and their safety mechanisms, heightening the likelihood of accidental damage or improper operation.

In the unfortunate event of having to shut down the reactors at Zaporizhzhia, the cooling down of fuel could take several weeks before it reaches a safe restart temperature. Given the context of an active combat zone, undertaking urgent repairs due to war damage could prove exceedingly challenging. The reactors would continue to generate heat and necessitate active cooling to avoid overheating. Any disruption in power or cooling water circulation could swiftly escalate into a severe nuclear crisis.Nuclear experts highlight that the reactors at Zaporizhzhia are of Soviet-era design, characterized by limited secondary containment. This aspect further exacerbates the risks, as potential radioactive releases in case of an accident would be substantially harder to control.

The situation unfolding in Ukraine is truly unprecedented, representing the first instance of war directly encircling operational nuclear reactors. This underscores the pressing need for all military powers to refrain from assaulting nuclear sites, categorizing them as off-limits during armed conflicts. Failing to do so could lead to devastating consequences for civilian populations.