Ukraine's energy crisis is a dire situation, and the role of nuclear power is pivotal. But the ongoing conflict with Russia has put these facilities at the heart of a dangerous game.
In the control room of the Khmelnytsky nuclear plant, a dedicated team of technicians keeps a vigilant eye on the screens, ensuring the facility's vital contribution to Ukraine's energy grid and war efforts. This plant, along with two others, supplies at least 60% of the country's electricity, a fact that underscores its strategic importance.
Pavlo Kovtonyuk, the head of Energoatom, Ukraine's National Nuclear Energy Company, reveals the grave threat these installations face from Russian attacks. He asserts, "Russia is attempting to disrupt the connection between nuclear power plants and the grid, aiming to shut down nuclear energy." This, he emphasizes, is an act of nuclear terrorism, as the link between the systems and the plant is crucial for safe and reliable operation.
The BBC gained exclusive access to the plant, witnessing Ukraine's resilience against Russia's relentless assaults. The country's critical energy infrastructure has been a prime target, with President Volodymyr Zelensky accusing Russia of exploiting the harsh winter to leave tens of thousands without power, heating, or running water.
With conventional power plants damaged by Russian airstrikes, nuclear plants like Khmelnytskyi have become the primary source of energy for Ukraine. However, the country's largest power plant, located near Zaporizhzhia, has been under Russian control since the war began.
This plant, the biggest in Ukraine and Europe, has the capacity to power a country the size of Portugal. But it currently lies dormant, with Russian technicians and troops in charge. The fate of the Zaporizhzhia site is a critical aspect of any potential peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. Recent reports indicate that Ukraine seeks joint control of the plant with the US, with energy distribution as a key consideration.
Our tour of the Khmelnytskyi complex included encounters with staff who had worked at Zaporizhzhia when Russia attacked on March 3, 2022. Dariia Zhurba, a technician, and her engineer husband, Ihor, shared their harrowing experience. "It was terrifying when they occupied. We heard explosions and shooting and hid in the corridor," recalled Ihor. The couple continued working until the situation became unbearable as Russia took control.
Their escape through occupied Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and Poland was fraught with scrutiny, as Russian captors examined their phones and possessions. Dariia, now residing in a Swedish-provided home near her new workplace, recounted, "They checked our contacts, social media, and even our 'likes'." The couple was interrogated about their relatives' military service.
Some workers couldn't escape Zaporizhzhia. Ihor mentioned cases of people taken to the 'basement' for interrogation, a place notorious for torture in occupied territories. He also knew of colleagues who went missing.
We communicated with Ukrainian workers still at the Zaporizhzhia plant under Russian control. They described a chaotic environment with neglected maintenance and the presence of Russian soldiers and military equipment.
The plant's future is a major concern. Despite being non-operational, its reactors require maintenance and cooling to prevent overheating and rising radiation levels. War damage to electrical substations and cooling water ponds has exacerbated the situation. Ukrainian officials worry that Russian technicians lack the expertise to operate American-made fuel systems, which could lead to disaster if the plant restarts.
Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia's Rosatom, claims Russia is maintaining the plant and that no other operator is legally entitled to run it. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) occasionally inspects the plant under temporary ceasefires, overseeing repairs and critical cooling system maintenance.
Ukrainian officials fear a repeat of the Chernobyl disaster, with Energoatom's director, Pavlo Kovtonyuk, warning that a meltdown could result in contamination worse than Chernobyl. The potential for a non-explosive, prolonged contamination event is a chilling prospect.
The immediate and long-term future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex is a contentious issue. Evidence suggests Russia is preparing to redirect power lines from Zaporizhzhia to occupied territories and Russia, should the plant restart under Moscow's control. Ukrainian leaders and nuclear officials stress that this cannot be allowed, as a nuclear accident would have far-reaching consequences beyond Ukraine's borders.
The situation is a delicate balance between energy security and the risks of nuclear disaster, with the world watching anxiously.
