Russian forces seize Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

On the other hand, the IAEA chief has confirmed the Russian takeover of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi is speaking now.

He says the Russian military has “effective control” of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear site, as well as Chernobyl.

He says a major aim is to ensure nuclear safety at these sites. 

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant contains six light-water nuclear reactors.

These reactors are said to be different in design from the reactors at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the site of a reactor meltdown in April 1986, which used so-called RBMK reactors.

The light-water reactors are considered to be more stable than those used at Chernobyl and are used in many parts of the world, including the US. Zaporizhzhia is approximately 500 miles to the south of Chernobyl.

Russian military forces had seized control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, seven days ago soon after attacking Ukraine.

As being reported, Chernobyl’s “exclusion zone” – a 32-km (19-mile) radius around the plant – remains largely devoid of human life, 36 years after a flawed reactor design and series of errors by its operators caused a major explosion at the plant.