VLADIVOSTOK. Sept 12 (Interfax) - The technological safety of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is absolute, however, the incessant pressure and attacks on urban infrastructure create non-technological risks, which are a source of profound concern, Rosatom General Director Alexei Likhachev said.
"From the technological point of view, [the plant] is absolutely safe. [...] Still, the incessant pressure, including attacks on urban infrastructure, clearly create non-technological risks, which, of course, causes profound concern," Likhachev said in response to Interfax's question on whether the plant is safe amid attacks.
From the technological point of view, the plant "units are shut down - five are in cold shutdown and one is in hot shutdown, the water level in the cooling pond is under control, there is a sufficient number of wells to prevent water shortage, and we know how to nullify all technological risks in this situation," he said.
The latest massive strike on Energodar was delivered on Monday, September 11, Likhachev said.
Likhachev linked the attack to the United Russia party's results in the elections in Energodar and noted that "tensions were high and the city was attacked" the day before the elections, which forced the city authorities to postpone the start of the new school year from September 1 to September 11. "Elections were held in Energodar. On the whole, the United Russia party gained slightly more votes than it did in the Zaporozhye region. If I am not mistaken, it scored 83% in the Zaporozhye region, versus 86% in Energodar. So, there was a massive drone strike on Energodar yesterday as an act of retaliation," Likhachev said.
"There were six drones, including two downed on approach," he said.
"There were four strikes, including those on the city park, the Sovremennik cultural center, a passport office, and a United Russia office. This seems to be a response to the proactive voting of Energodar residents," Likhachev said.
"Of course, all of that causes our concern. A fundamental security principle related to the normal life of the satellite city continues to be breached, which means [there is] pressure on the plant personnel," he said.
The Zaporozhye NPP staff has been reduced for security reasons, and the number of people that keep the plant working has been minimized, Likhachev said.
"Regretfully, the demonstrative actions of the Kiev authorities, which aim to intimidate city residents and plant personnel, are continuing," he said.
As reported, Energodar was attacked by Ukrainian military drones on Monday, and residential areas were damaged.
Energodar is home to the Zaporozhye NPP, the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe. The latest strikes on the plant grounds were observed in November 2022.