Ukraine rejects Russia's plan to connect Zaporizhzhia nuke plant to its electricity grid

As Russia-Ukraine war has entered its 87th day, Moscow's intention to link a massive Ukrainian nuclear power plant to Russian electrical grid has been rejected by Ukraine as "wishful thinking". massive Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant which is located near Dnieper River in sourn Ukraine is largest nuclear facility in Europe. Even though Ukrainian personnel are still in charge of plant, Russia has dispatched nuclear specialists to supervise ir work, BBC reported.  

Furr, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has promised to sell power from it to Ukraine. According to Khusnullin, if Kyiv refuses to pay for Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant's power, Russia will incorporate it into its energy infrastructure. He asserted during a visit to Russian-occupied sourn Ukraine on May 18 that "if Ukrainian energy system is ready to receive (electricity) and pay for it, n we will work, but if t - n plant will work for Russia."

According to a BBC report, in rmal circumstances, facility produces over half of Ukraine's nuclear power and 20% of nation's overall electrical supply. However, only two of six reactors are w operational. city of Zaporizhzhia, which is on or side of Dnieper, is still under Ukrainian hands. Enerhodar, a community of over 53,000 people constructed in Soviet times to accommodate nuclear employees, is home to nuclear power plant. 

'Russians can build a power line oretically, but it will take a long time': Energoatom

Referring to statements of Russia’s deputy PM, a spokesperson for Ukraine's official nuclear ncy, Energoatom, claimed that connecting facility to Russia would take years. Leonid Oliynyk told BBC, " plant only works in Ukraine's energy grid. Russians can build a power line oretically, but it will take a long time."

spokesperson informed that nuclear power station is currently operating at a reduced capacity, but Kyiv remains in command, and Ukraine controls all electrical connections. Oliynyk added, “ Russian statement is wishful thinking," BBC reported.  

Furrmore, Zaporizhzhia facility was bombarded on March 3 by Russian forces, who eventually gained control of it. According to Energoatom, buildings near one of its reactors were severely damd. International Atomic Energy ncy (IAEA), United Nations nuclear watchdog, stated that radiation levels, as well as reactor safety, were unaffected. 

Following attack, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's foreign minister, had warned that if Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station "blows up," its effect would be ten times larger than size of Cherbyl, as per media reports. nuclear trdy at Cherbyl nuclear plant in 1986 is often regarded as greatest nuclear disaster in history, both in terms of cost and deaths.

(Im: AP)