A potential nuclear disaster at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), triggered by Russia, could impact countries far beyond Ukraine, even reaching Africa.
This warning comes from a policy report on nuclear safety during military aggression, published by the Ukrainian Association of South Africa (UAZA).
A disaster at ZNPP would affect global food systems, healthcare, and economies.
“South African and African institutions have warned: global nuclear safety is at stake,” UAZA said.
Currently, ZNPP is experiencing its longest blackout since the full-scale invasion began, power has been down for nearly two weeks.
The outage followed damage and loss of the plant’s last power line on Sept. 23. Greenpeace confirmed that Russian forces deliberately caused the blackout.
“All six reactors are shut down but still need constant cooling. Right now, emergency diesel generators are the only thing preventing a meltdown,” UAZA said.
Meanwhile, on Sept. 30, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that one of the plant’s 18 diesel generators had failed.
“ZNPP has lost power 10 times since occupation, but never for this long,” UAZA said.
The organization also said that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly called on Russia to withdraw and demilitarize the plant. Moscow has ignored the request, leaving troops, mines, and military equipment on-site, violating most safety standards.
“States can act — by refusing support to Rosatom, demanding the release of abducted staff, and insisting ZNPP be returned to Ukrainian control,” UAZA said.
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