The de-energization of facilities in the Exclusion Zone by the occupiers will lead to the second Fukushima tragedy

Due to the actions of the occupiers at 11.22 on March, 9 the 750 kV Kyiv-ChNPP line was damaged. Chernobyl and all nuclear facilities in the Exclusion Zone – SNFSF-1, SNFSF-2 and the New Safe Configuration (NSC) were left without electricity

Ukrenergo informs that military actions in the region make energy restoration in the power plant impossible.

Olga Kosharna, member of the Ukrainian Nuclear Society, explained the threat of the occupiers` actions.

“SNFS-1 (Spent nuclear fuel storage) is the wet-type storage facility for storing spent fuel assemblies of the high-power channel-type reactor in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. According to my information, there are no diesel generators at SNFS-1”, – the expert writes.

She reports  that more than 20`000 fuel assemblies with RBMK are stored in the SNFSF-1 basin. To remove residual heat, it is necessary to cool the fuel assemblies, which was provided by pumping. If the pumps do not work, the heat is not removed, the water in the pool can boil, which will cause the formation of radioactive vapor, followed by melting of the fuel, which will lead to a serious accident

If ventilation systems do not work, the dose of radiation exposure of the staff will increase and emissions of radioactive gases and fumes will spread through territories not only Ukraine but Belarus and Russia – Olha Kosharna stresses.

Also, in the absence of ventilation at the NSC there will be an increase in radiation levels in doses, which are dangerous to personnel.

SNFS-2 is the dry storage for spent atomic fuel at Chornobyl nuclear power plant. The absence of power will not impact SNFS-2 because concrete containers were established in concrete modules, and natural ventilation can provide system cooling.

Olga Kosharna emphasizes that the actions of the Russian occupiers fall under Article 2 of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and Article 7 of the Convention for the Protection of Nuclear Material (Russia is a Side to these conventions), which should lead to severe sanctions the gravity of the crime and the perpetrators and the terrorist state – Russia.

Unfortunately, International Atomic Energy Agency shows the lack of authority regarding the issue of seizure of nuclear objects in Ukraine. Its activity limits only by appellations to the Russian Federation without direct calling Russia a nuclear terrorist state.

She is convinced that it is necessary to initiate criminal proceedings in international courts and bring Russia to justice. It is also necessary to impose sanctions on Rosatom and exclude Russia from all nuclear and world nuclear alliances.

“The disaster is inevitable, and we do not have much time. Atomists of the world, let's unite to make pressure on your authorities to prevent the next Fukushima accident” – Olha Kosharna urged her colleagues.