Iodine distribution and leak fears in Zaporizhia
Fears over the possibility of radioactive releases in Zaporizhia persisted on Saturday as the two sides swapped responsibility for nearby shelling. Ukraine said Russian forces fired at areas just across the river from the factory and Russia said Ukrainian shells hit a building where nuclear fuel is stored.
Much of the concern centers on the cooling systems of nuclear reactors, which need electricity to operate. The plant was temporarily taken offline on Thursday due to what officials said was fire damage to a transmission line. Failure of the cooling system could cause nuclear meltdown.
Russian forces have occupied the plant for six months, but local Ukrainian workers have kept it running. Periodic bombardments have damaged the plant’s infrastructure, Ukrainian nuclear operator Energoatom said on Saturday, which said that“There are risks of hydrogen leakage and spraying of radioactive substances”. Authorities have distributed iodine tablets to residents who live near the plant in case of radiation exposure.
The UN’s atomic energy agency tried to broker a deal to send a team to inspect and help secure the plant. Officials said preparations for the visit were underway, but it was still unclear when it might take place.