As the Ukrainian news agency TSN reports, Ukraine has issued an urgent appeal at the UN (United Nations) for the immediate cessation of hostilities in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant (NPP). The existing risk of a nuclear catastrophe was highlighted.
According to TSN, the Ukrainian side emphasized that the ongoing fighting in close proximity to the facility poses a serious threat to nuclear safety. The Ukrainian delegation at the UN called on the international community to exert pressure on the parties to the conflict to prevent an escalation.
TSN reports that a Ukrainian representative stated before the UN Security Council that the situation is critical and requires immediate intervention. The Ukrainian government has repeatedly pointed out the dangers posed by military activities near nuclear power plants.
The background to the demand is the ongoing fighting in the region around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest nuclear power plant. In the past, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned of the risks associated with hostilities near the facility.
Ukraine argues that shelling or damage to the reactors or cooling systems could lead to the release of radioactive material, comparable to the Chernobyl disaster. The UN was called upon to take all necessary measures to prevent such a development.
TSN further reports that the Ukrainian side reminded the international community that the safety of nuclear power plants is not only a national but a global issue. A nuclear accident would have devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond.
The UN's response to Ukraine's appeal was pending at the time of reporting. It remains to be seen whether the Security Council will convene an emergency session to discuss the situation.
Nuclear safety experts have repeatedly stressed that the ongoing fighting in Ukraine poses an unprecedented risk to the country's nuclear power plants. The IAEA has repeatedly expressed concern about the situation and called on both parties to the conflict to exercise restraint.
Ukraine now demands a clear signal from the UN that hostilities near nuclear power plants must cease immediately. The Ukrainian government sees this as a necessary condition to prevent a nuclear catastrophe and ensure the safety of the population.
