The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant operates under the supervision of Russian soldiers

Russian soldiers stand guard at an area inside the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine on May 1 – Photo: AP

According to AFP news agency on May 2, the Russian military organized a press tour of the Zaporizhzhia factory the day before.

Aside from a scorched building, much of the Zaporizhzhia complex in southern Ukraine appears to be untouched by the clashes nearly two months ago.

The international community used to worry about the situation at Zaporizhzhia – Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, containing up to 6/15 Ukrainian reactors and able to provide enough electricity for 4 million households.

Russian forces took control of Zaporizhzhia during skirmishes earlier in March, which sparked a massive fire at the training facility at the plant. According to AFP, there was no spike in radiation levels at the plant at that time, but still caused concern to the international community, especially after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.

Russia insists it is taking all necessary precautions in Zaporizhzhia. “Zaporizhzhia is operating normally, in compliance with all environmental, radiological and nuclear safety standards,” said Major General Valery Vasilyev of the Russian army.

The façade of the training facility that burned in March is still smoky with broken windows, but there is no visible sign of other damage at the plant. Soldiers patrolling or standing guard behind sandbags showed no signs of anxiety and were not wearing radiation protective gear.

“Everything is fine here. The residents and workers of the factory are safe. All favorable conditions are maintained for them to work, generate electricity and ensure the safety of the factory,” said Mr. Andrey Shevchik. , the mayor of the city of Energodar near the Zaporizhzhia factory, said.

Mr. Shevchik said the plant “is ready to sell electricity to Europe”. Mr Shevchik also said residents who had been evacuated earlier were returning to the city of Energodar, but AFP could not verify this claim.

It remains unclear exactly how Zaporizhzhia operates, although Ukrainian workers continue to work at the factory under the supervision of Russian soldiers. AFP reporters did not meet any Ukrainian employees at the plant or speak to Energodar residents.