The Russian-controlled nuclear plant in southern Ukraine has sparked fears of a possible meltdown amid ongoing shelling in the area.
Europe’s largest nuclear plant said plans are underway to shut down its only remaining operational reactor, as ongoing fighting in Ukraine continues to stoke fears of a potentially catastrophic radiation accident.
The stability of Zaporizhzhia, a Russian-controlled nuclear plant in southern Ukraine that is also one of the largest atomic power stations in the world, has been a source of international concern for weeks. Shelling in the plant’s vicinity has repeatedly cut transmission lines that connect it to the surrounding power grid and provide the electricity necessary to run systems that cool the reactors. Jeopardizing the plant’s cooling systems increases risks of a meltdown.
Nuclear operator Energoatom announced on Sunday that Zaporizhzhia had been reconnected to Ukraine’s electricity grid, allowing engineers to shut down its last operational reactor in an attempt to avoid a radiation disaster.
The six-reactor Zaporizhzhia plant a week ago after all its power lines were disconnected as a result of shelling.
