This article is about russia ukraine issue on zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant that Russian troops are using the captured Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station as a military camp, and employees there have told the media that they are being held at gunpoint.
The largest nuclear power facility in Europe has been under occupation by invading forces since the beginning of March. However, Ukrainian technicians continue to run it.
Recently, Moscow has been charged with utilising the plant “as a shield” while its soldiers fire rockets from it at adjacent targets.
Further shelling was reported on Thursday, and the president of the UN issued a fresh warning about combat “leading to calamity” close to the nuclear site.
Two employees have since spoken to the BBC about the constant risk of kidnapping and their worries about either “radioactive pollution of the larger region” or a nuclear attack.
UN alert as Ukraine nuclear plant is once more shelled
- One of Ukraine’s most hazardous vantage points is in the city of Nikopol in the country’s south.
Ten kilometres across the sea, on the banks of the Dnipro River, one can see the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of shelling in that area, with up to 120 rocket reports in a single night.
They travel in the direction of the city of Enerhodar, where the plant is located.
Enerhodar, along with the power plant, has likewise come under intense fire.
The UN’s nuclear watchdog claims there’s a “real risk of nuclear disaster” unless the fighting stops and inspectors are allowed access.
Russia and Ukraine trade accusations. The picture is murky, but the risks are crystal clear.
Svitlana, who is texting with us, says, “My working day is a continual burden.”
There is very little signal, and she and her coworker Mykola can only use Russian SIM cards for now. For reasons of safety, we are not using their true names.
Svitlana explains, “I can’t work like I used to. “I haven’t even been able to get to work the past week; it’s too risky.”
“The nitrogen-oxygen station was shelled on Saturday, which started a fire. The employees there managed to survive by some miracle.
Another resident of Enerhodar informs us that there is a doctor scarcity and that prices in the shops and pharmacies are currently four times more than in areas that Ukraine still controls. Most ATMs are also closed.
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Shells have reportedly been dropping close to the plant daily, according to Svitlana, who has worked there for many years.
She continues, “The psychological position is challenging.” “Soldiers are carrying firearms everywhere, and everyone is being held at gunpoint.”
About 500 Russian soldiers are allegedly stationed there. Svitlana has no doubt that it is being utilised as a base. It is because recent footage depicted military vehicles being driven inside.
They travel back and forth in their military trucks every day, she claims.
They set up their military apparatus directly in front of the station buildings to prevent an attack by Ukrainian forces.
Mykola sends an SMS that states, “The staff are now Russian hostages.”
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“They disabled the internet, only allowed landlines, and there is only one dining area where food is served. The others were used as their bases by them.
Ukraine is anxious In an effort to spread a misleading message, such as “Ukraine is attacking you; vote to join Russia so we can take root and protect you,” Russia has begun bombarding the territory it holds.
An order to hold a vote soon has just been signed by Zaporizhzhia region’s lawmakers, who were appointed in Moscow. In the past, Russia has held fake elections, as it did in 2014 when it occupied Crimea.
Mykola continues: “Access to all roofs is prohibited, they made their observation points there. The training building also became their barracks.
Staff are being abducted more frequently now just as they are leaving their shift at the security gate.
Although the reason for the kidnapping is unknown, locals describe it as an act of intimidation by Russian law enforcement.
Svitlana and Mykola also mention Russians leaving trash all over the place, but they claim staff members are still able to adequately monitor the reactor.
The hazards are “severe” as long as the Russians maintain control of the Zaporizhzhia power station, according to Hryhoriy Plachkov, a former leader of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine.
If the Russians were to re-direct power back to their own grid, they would need “two to three” months to do so, he acknowledges.
A southern front line that has witnessed more ferocious fighting recently includes Enerhodar.
However, there hasn’t been much progress lately, suggesting that Ukraine won’t regain control of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
