ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine — The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has not only been marked by conventional weapons such as drones, ballistic missiles, and artillery shells but has also raised alarms about the risk posed by the nearby Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (NPP). Although Russian forces have not utilized this facility as a weapon, its mere proximity to military activity poses significant dangers.
Once the largest producer of electricity in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia NPP has remained under Russian control since the early days of the full-scale invasion. The facility has been the subject of fierce conflict, with both Ukrainian and Russian forces accusing one another of aggressive actions that threaten the plant and its safety.
As families in Zaporizhzhia come to terms with the dual threats of bombardment and potential radiation exposure, an investigative team spent nearly a week in the area, exploring efforts to establish an underground educational system for students.
In regard to operational status, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has been in “cold shutdown” mode for two years, following extensive discussions between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Russian officials. Despite being closed to electricity generation, there are significant risks; if electricity supplies are disrupted from the Ukrainian-controlled grid, essential safety systems could fail. The facility requires continuous power to maintain critical functions like water pumping and radiation monitoring, and it has suffered electricity outages, emphasizing the ongoing vulnerability due to increased Russian attacks on infrastructure this year.
Experts indicate that the newer design of the Zaporizhzhia plant offers more safety than the older Chornobyl facility, which suffered a catastrophic meltdown in 1986. However, this does not eliminate the risks associated with the situation entirely.
With regards to education, many of the city’s youngest residents have not attended school in nearly four years. Classes were initially halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the onset of the war in February 2022, online education has continued without a return to physical classrooms. In response to the deteriorating conditions, plans are in motion to construct approximately twelve underground schools that would be fortified against bombings and radiation, aiming to accommodate around 12,000 students.
The expense of building these underground educational institutions is significant, with estimates for Gymnasium No. 71 alone exceeding 112 million hryvnias (around $2.7 million). International contributions are largely funding these projects, while national and local governments prioritize such initiatives alongside supporting military efforts.
Many parents express that the immediate threat from bombs is a more pressing concern than the risk of radiation from the nearby nuclear plant.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of purposefully endangering nuclear facilities. After seizing Chornobyl shortly after the war began, Russian troops were eventually repelled by Ukrainian forces. Throughout the conflict, Russian officials have hinted at their nuclear arsenal without making explicit threats. In September, President Putin declared that any strike on Russian territory or its allies could provoke a nuclear response.
Ukrainian leaders worry about Russia’s intentions regarding attacks on both Chornobyl and Zaporizhzhia, with Zelenskyy cautioning that Russia may escalate its aggression by targeting additional nuclear facilities that are vital to Ukraine’s energy supply.