The Times: ZNPP is Putin’s new weapon

Russian leader Putin doesn’t exclude the possibility of using the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as an improvised nuclear device, writes former commander of the Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Regiment, Hamish de Bretton-Gordon for The Times. 

The Kremlin chief threatens the world with a nuclear attack every week. “Nuclear energy can either save the planet from climate change or destroy it in the hands of tyrants like Putin, Assad, and other despots. First and foremost, the UN and the IAEA must ensure the safety of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to prevent radioactive contamination across Europe and further escalation of war,” the expert writes.

In the event of an accident at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, contamination is likely to spread westward rather than eastward, placing all European countries at risk. Meanwhile, Putin currently faces no constraints, and he may believe he is capable of using any weapon, even nuclear or chemical, to achieve his goals.

During Russia’s recent attacks on Ukraine, the security of the ZNPP was once again threatened, notes Hamish de Bretton-Gordon. “Vital power supplies to keep the reactors cold were cut off; the potential meltdown and catastrophic nuclear ‘accident’ were only averted by ancient generators,” the text states.

The IAEA and the UN need to establish a demilitarized zone around the ZNPP to prevent a repeat of the Chornobyl disaster. The author suggests that countries like China and India could provide troops for this task, as Putin is unlikely to attack them.