War in Ukraine: report on the Zaporizhia power plant in Russian hands

The Russian soldiers appeared tense on the road to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, a plant at the heart of concern. It must be said that the artillery fire is very close. It is the first time that Western journalists have been able to enter this place, which has become strategic, since the fighting redoubled nearby. At the entrance, normal radioactivity displayed by a counter, so far no leak has been detected. Within the enclosure, dozens of Russian soldiers posted weapons in hand, patrols, camps and armored vehicles just at the foot of the reactors of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.

The Russians lead the journalists to a place where the pipes are damaged and then where a missile is stuck in the ground. These shots, attributed to the Ukrainians by the Russians, who control the plant. “It’s not easy to carry out ballistic expertise, but obviously the origin is Nikopol and Marhanets, territories controlled by Ukrainians”, assures a Russian nuclear official. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were able to go on site and intend to maintain a lasting presence to avoid any incident.
“What struck us during the hours we spent here was the sound of artillery fire. It is impossible to determine with certainty who is firing, but what is certain is that the employees who operate this plant live with this permanent fear. The IAEA inspectors will also have to work in these conditions”summarizes Luc Lacroix after this visit.