Consequences may be global: National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine calls upon the world community to stop Russia’s nuclear terrorism

MYKHAILO ZAHORODNII – THURSDAY, 11 AUGUST 2022

The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine called upon the world community to recognize Russia’s actions with regard to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) as nuclear terrorism.

Scientists suggest limiting Russia’s access to the latest nuclear technologies and imposing sanctions on the Russian nuclear sector.

Source: report by the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine was reacting to Russian missiles hitting the area near the dry cask storage of the ZNPP on 6 August.

"Every possible means must be used to fully demilitarise the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, i.e. to withdraw Russian troops from the largest nuclear plant in Europe and from all the adjacent territory, including the city of Enerhodar", reports the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Read also: Nobody knows what will happen to the world after a nuclear war. It is better not to find out. An interview with a historian of nuclear weapons

Scientists say that under the worst-case scenario, such actions by the occupiers may lead to the destruction of nuclear fuel in the ZNPP reactors, which will lead to accidents comparable only to the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident in 1986 and the one at the Japanese Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011.

Should an accident occur, not only Ukraine but the whole world would feel the consequences.

While on the territory of the ZNPP, the occupiers are violating international law and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAIA) requirements, because nuclear power plants are objects of peaceful use of nuclear energy and must not under any circumstances become military objects or become the targets of military attacks.

"The nuclear power plant staff are still being held hostage, there is Russian heavy military equipment on the ZNPP site, ammunition is being stored near the power units, with some even stored inside their engine rooms.

Moreover, Russians are already openly blackmailing the world by claiming that the ZNPP has been mined and they are ready to blow it up", the report states.

The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine reminded the world community that the current situation with the ZNPP is not Russia’s only nuclear violation. Previously, the occupiers illegally captured the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and bombarded the "Dzherelo Neitroniv" ("The Source of Neutrons") research nuclear facility in Kharkiv.

Read also: What do you know about the radiation and Chornobyl? Test yourself. QUIZ

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