The Truth About The Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant Comes To Light

Should we cooperate with Russian nuclear scientists?

A little more than four years have passed since the Belarusian nuclear power plant started operating, but problems with its operation are arising more and more often.

Again, both of its power units are disconnected from the power grid and do not produce electricity. At the same time, one is officially excluded from scheduled preventive maintenance. However, another, as reported by informed observers, is disabled due to a malfunction (leakage due to an abnormal situation) of the circuit containing radioactive materials.

The Ministry of Energy of Belarus reported the shutdown of the second power unit of the nuclear power plant, but called the reason "the actuation of one of the sensors".

In all official comments on this subject, rather scarce, it is noted that the work carried out at the nuclear power plant after the incident does not affect the safety of the plant and its equipment. It is also argued that the radiation situation in the surrounding areas has not changed — the level of radiation allegedly remains within normal limits.

However, all these statements look like an attempt to calm the local population to prevent panic against the background of the ongoing presidential election campaign.

Whether this has been achieved is hard to say, as the authorities' statements are increasingly met with skepticism. Despite the measures taken by the management of the Belarusian NPP to identify 'unreliable' persons who could tell about the problems at the plant, the real circumstances are gradually coming to light.

Observers note that the protection of power unit #2 was triggered due to a violation of the tightness of the primary circuit, where water with additives circulates through the reactor core.

This raises serious concerns among those who are associated with the operation of nuclear power plants, live nearby, as well as among many not indifferent citizens of Belarus.

The European neighbours of Belarus, especially Lithuania, should also be concerned, as the station is located relatively close to their borders and possible releases of radioactive materials could reach their territories.

Problems at the BelNPP arise with a certain frequency, forcing them to shut down the reactors every time. According to experts, frequent shutdown is highly undesirable, since the reactors have a limited number of on/off switches, in which the guaranteed reliability of the equipment is maintained.

Each abnormal event at the plant increases the likelihood of accidents and other emergencies that can have catastrophic consequences for the population and the environment.

It should be noted that the Russian Atomstroyexport JSC, a subsidiary of Rosatom, is carrying out repairs at the BelNPP. However, this station is known in the world only for its malfunctions and endless repairs.

This is the Russian 'quality' of both the reactors produced by Rosatom and the rest of the equipment. The evident negligence of Russian manufacturers and repair workers in such a critical field as nuclear energy is, at the very least, alarming, but not surprising.

It is also surprising that customers from other countries continue to involve Russia in the construction of nuclear power plants. The experience of operating the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant shows the high probability level of such 'time bombs' like the one created by the Russians in Belarus.

Against the background of the deterioration of the Russian economy due to sanctions caused by its aggression against Ukraine, the likelihood of creating high-quality equipment by Rosatom is extremely small.

Therefore, other countries should think about the risks associated with cooperation with Russia in the nuclear field. Especially since we are talking about a state that does not disdain direct nuclear terrorism. For example, we are talking about the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, where there are regular 'incidents' designed to influence the world community and Ukraine so that they make concessions to the aggressor state. Moreover, the Russian side cannot but understand the negative consequences of such actions.

Does anyone think that they will not disdain such terrorism in other countries as well?

Petro Oleshchuk, Professor of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, specially for Charter97.org

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