Nuclear Alarms in the Ukraine

As the war on the front lines of Ukraine continues, a new version of events creates worldly concern of a second Chernobyl. Families separated amongst the rumors of attacks, and staffing restrictions among war-time shelling fuel fear of a second Ukrainian catastrophe. The question remains, how can our world leader’s prevent an incident without becoming involved in Russia’s campaign for regional expansion?

It’s no secret that a nuclear accident on April 26th, 1986 left a mark on Ukraine, and a stain on the health of our planet.

Chernobyl, roughly 60 miles north of Kyiv suffered a meltdown which shouldn’t have happened. Though a combination of human error and equipment failure rose to be the cause of this incident, the newest threat to the country is direct result of the Russian occupation.

Zaporizhzhia (ZNPP, A nuclear facility located in Enerhodar, Ukraine) was one of the first facilities occupied by Russian forces and remains Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. Both sides of the ongoing conflict accuse the other of shelled-attacks in attempts to hold, and otherwise retake control of the facility and recent staffing restrictions imposed by Russia combine to create a cause for immediate concern.

The ZNPP, though occupied by Russian forces maintains a Ukrainian staff, staff which as of late has been furloughed by the Russian administration, restricted to a floor minimum likely as a ploy to control information. Amidst an on-going conflict, operating with a skeleton crew and under shelled bombardments from both sides, what is being done to maintain the safe operation of the facility?

“Ukrainian intelligence officers believe that the Russians are preparing a provocation at the ZNPP. Following their extensive shelling of the ZNPP, the invaders could “raise the stakes” and stage a real terrorist attack on Europe’s largest nuclear facility,” Ukraine’s Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security under Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and Information Policy tweeted Thursday.

Russia maintains that the United States and Ukraine are planning to “trigger an incident” at the ZNPP in hopes of a Russian retreat. Whilst recklessly imposing restrictions to the facility internally.

This cause for alarm has expanded to the area’s locals and refugees. Husbands are reportedly being separated from fleeing families amongst the concern of a nuclear meltdown. Ukraine won’t allow the countries men (18-60 years old) to leave during the occupation, so they are forced to send their families off without them.

There doesn’t seem to be a super power in the world that has any interest in opposing Russia directly despite the threat, for fear of global confrontation. The United States and other NATO allies have reached a consensus of aid, with the U.S. recently approving a package totaling $775 Million in the form of missiles, drones, vehicles, and mine clearing equipment. But supporting the war front just isn’t decreasing the inherent risk of nuclear disaster.

If the world is faced with the decision to contain a nuclear threat, that of the likes of Chernobyl, and potentially enter a military conflict on a global scale, how will our world leaders act to protect us?

You can support those in Ukraine suffering from this conflict by making a donation at Rescue.Org.