World must agree nuclear plants are off limits even in wartime

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has again highlighted the importance of nuclear power plant security. Since the start of the war, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been under threat and, recently, amid Ukraine’s incursions into Russia, attacks close to the Kursk nuclear power plant have also raised safety fears.

This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the United Nations that Russia was planning attacks on his country’s nuclear power plants, warning of a possible “nuclear disaster”.

These concerns highlight the vulnerability of nuclear installations to conventional attacks, especially in a broader conflict.

In this context, the non-attack agreement between India and Pakistan – in which they pledged not to attack each other’s nuclear installations or facilities – can serve as a template of responsible behaviour. It could help reduce the chances of a nuclear accident during a conflict.

The war in Ukraine marks the first time conflict has occurred in an area housing a major nuclear programme. Shortly after Russian forces invaded Ukraine, they captured the entire area around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the Zaporizhzhia plant. Russia returned control of the Chernobyl plant to Ukraine after about a month.

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Россия Политика

ядерный электростанция граница время война мир должный конфликт очередной важность