“The destruction of the dam on Lake Khakovka on June 6 due to the Russian invasion and occupation of that region of Ukraine significantly increased the risks to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.” This is pointed out by Greenpeace with her announcement. As it states: “The dramatic drop in Kakovka’s water level could lead to the collapse of the dike that holds the water necessary to cool the highly radioactive fuel inside the plant.”

And he goes on to emphasize that: “The continued occupation of the factory poses endangering nuclear safety as well as any emergency intervention, in the event of a crisis due to damage to the factory embankment. This damage could be either accidental, due to increasing water pressure, or after a criminal act of sabotage by Russian troops. The Russian occupation must be ended immediately and Ukrainian control of the plant immediately restored.”

The main concerns raised by her office Greenpeace in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) they are the following:

“The cooling pond reservoir at the Zaporizhia NPP is at risk of leaking and possible collapse if water levels in Lake Kakovka drop dramatically. Ukrainian authorities have said they expect levels to drop to just 3 meters within the week, from 17.4 meters before the Khakovka dam failure. Falling lake water levels increase the pressure on the embankment walls of the power plant’s cooling tank. Securing alternative water supplies is planned by Ukrainian nuclear personnel and plant owner Energoatom, but could be impossible under Russian occupation. A collapse of the cooling tank would complicate the necessary supply of cooling water for the six reactors and nuclear fuel in the area. Although five of the reactors are in cold shutdown and one in warm shutdown, the residual heat of the highly radioactive fuel requires continuous cooling.”

“The Russian occupation of the Zaporizhia nuclear plant, by military forces and Rosatom (the Russian state nuclear company), severely impedes Ukrainian nuclear personnel from fulfilling their essential security roles”the Organization underlines.

“A few days ago, the idea that the Khakovka dam would fail and the lake would flood Kherson, the wider southern Ukraine and the Black Sea was only a nightmare – now, due to deliberate Russian actions, it is yet another tragic reality for the people of Ukraine. The possibility of Russian forces taking some extreme action against the Zaporizhia nuclear plant should be considered a possible threat. The Russian military and Rosatom must immediately withdraw from the nuclear plant. All efforts should be directed to the Russian government, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), demanding that there be no destruction of the cooling water tank or any other part of the Zaporizhia nuclear plant site.” said Jan Vande Putte, Greenpeace nuclear expert.