“The Zaporizhzhia NPP site has been seized by the military forces of the Russian Federation. The personnel continue working at their workplaces, operational personnel monitor the state of power units and ensure their operation in accordance with the requirements of the process procedures for safe operation. Walkdowns are also carried out to identify any damages on the site,” the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine said in a statement.

The regulatory authority stated that changes in the radiation situation had not been registered. “Currently, the cool down of nuclear fuel at Zaporizhzhia NPP power units is ensured by the design systems of power units in accordance with the requirements of the process procedures for safe operation.”

The regulatory authority warned that “the loss of the possibility to cool down nuclear fuel will lead to significant radioactive releases into the environment.”

“As a result, such an event may exceed all previous accidents at nuclear power plants, including the Chornobyl accident and the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant,” it added.

State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) is a central executive body, which activities are directly coordinated by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and which ensures the formation and implementation of state policy in the field of nuclear energy safety. (ILKHA)