ZNPP continues to operate with risk of violating radiation safety standards

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant operates with the risk of violating radiation and fire safety regulations.

That’s according to Ukraine’s nuclear regulator, Enegoatom, Ukrinform reports.

"As of 8:00 on August 22, 2022, the Zaporizhzhia NPP operates with the risk of violating radiation and fire safety standards. Periodic shelling of the ZNPP by Russian troops with anti-aircraft missiles caused a serious risk to the safe operation of the plant," the statement reads.

Energoatom notes that on August 5, as a result of an attack by the Russian military on the Zaporizhzhia NPP, emergency protection of one of the power units was activated so one of the three working power units has since been disconnected. During the shelling, the nitrogen-oxygen station and the combined auxiliary building were seriously damaged. There are still risks of hydrogen leakage and sputtering of radioactive substances, and the risk of fire remains high, too. On August 6, as a result of shelling by the invaders, three radiation monitoring sensors at the ZNPP premises were damaged.

On August 11, the occupiers fired at the fire department building, located outside the ZNPP perimeter, designed to protect it from fires and extinguish them in case of emergency situations. On August 13, the 750 kV open switchgear (VRP-750) was also damaged. On August 20, as a result of shelling, one of the transitional galleries through which personnel transit from the special buildings to the power units (overpass) was also damaged and the windows in the building were shattered.

The Ukrainian staff of the NPP continues to work their shifts and make every effort to ensure nuclear and radiation safety, as well as eliminate the consequences of damage.

The nuclear power plant remains occupied and controlled by the Russian military. Given that it is impossible to predict the actions of invaders, the threat to the station's physical safety remains in place.

Currently, the Zaporizhzhia NPP continues to operate and produce electricity for the needs of the Ukrainian power system.

As it is known, the Russian military seized the ZNPP on the night of March 4. Since then, military personnel and heavy equipment have been stationed on the NPP premises. Early August, the invaders also fired several times on objects located on the ZNPP territory, as well as mined the plant.