Is the Zaporiyia nuclear power plant really at risk after the flooding of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine?

It has finally happened. As this same media warned months ago, in the context of the war between Russia and Ukraine, the Nova Kakhovka dam had been attracting the attention of both sides for some time , as it was a strategic neuralgic point that could change the course of the conflict. This Tuesday, finally, it collapsed, and, as has been the case since the beginning of the conflict, the disinformation at the beginning was absolute, with both sides accusing each other of its destruction.

According to U.S. intelligence data, it is Russia that is behind the attack on the dam, which could affect 80 localities in the region (most of them located in territory occupied by Russian forces). Nova Kakhovka was vital for the supply of fresh water to the Crimean peninsula, and its collapse raises the question of the next step (and a long-standing concern), is the Zaporiyia nuclear power plant at risk?

Not an immediate threat

Europe's largest nuclear power plant has been attacked in the past within the framework of the war, but, according to the UN and Ukrainian experts, there is currently no immediate threat to its safety. This does not mean, however, that there are no long-term implications for its future. in The Guardian, noting that all six reactors were shut down in the context of the Russian invasion.

The plant is located next to an artificial pond, which means that water can be kept above the reservoir level. The reactors are shut down cold

In any case, it should be noted that the plant is located next to an artificial pond, which means that the water can be kept above the reservoir level. The fact that the reactors are cold shutdown also offers peace of mind for the time being.

What would happen if there was an accident?

But the fear is still there. Since the beginning of the war between Ukraine and Russia, the risk of nuclear disaster has been one of the main fears globally. According to experts, an accident in Zaporiyia would have consequences very similar to those in Fukushima, the only disaster rated a seven (severe accident) on the International Nuclear Event Scale. Fortunately, Zaporiyia is landlocked, but it seems that the opinion about the hypothetical disaster is quite similar: the severity of the consequences would be somewhere between what happened in Chernobyl and the aforementioned Fukushima.

An accident in Zaporiyia would have consequences very similar to those of Fukushima, the only disaster rated seven (severe accident) on the International Nuclear Event Scale.

In any case, it should not be forgotten that, although Zaporiyia is the one that attracts the most attention, it is not the only nuclear power plant in Ukraine. In fact, counting the inactive Chernobyl, there are three other active plants, closer to the western border and which, being older than Zaporiyia, are more susceptible in case of an accident.

In the end it has happened. As this same media warned months ago, in the context of the war between Russia and Ukraine, the Nova Kakhovka dam had been attracting the attention of both sides for some time , as it is a strategic neuralgic point that could change the course of the conflict. This Tuesday, finally, it collapsed, and, as has been the case since the beginning of the conflict, the disinformation at the beginning was absolute, with both sides accusing each other of its destruction.