Russian forces occupying Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant (ZNPP) have violated safety protocols by ordering one of the facility's reactors into a "hot shutdown" state, according to Ukrainian nuclear operator Energoatom. Reactor No. 4 of the ZNPP should be in a "cold shutdown" state, and Energoatom called the actions a gross violation of the license requirements. The ZNPP has been under Russian control since March 2022, and both Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of planning provocations at the plant. The transfer of reactor No. 4 into hot shutdown mode raises safety concerns, and Energoatom's president called it a deliberate violation of Ukrainian and international law. The Moscow-installed administration of the plant, however, claimed it was part of measures to ensure nuclear safety. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported the presence of anti-personnel mines on the ZNPP grounds, which is against safety standards.
Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:14:05 GMT | Newsweek