Zaporizhzhia: The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), one of Europe’s largest nuclear facilities, sits precariously at the heart of the Russia-Ukraine war. Once a symbol of technological advancement, it has now become a battleground where politics and war threaten to unleash an unprecedented disaster. Under Russian military control, the plant has faced relentless attacks, raising fears of a catastrophic nuclear meltdown.
TV9 Bharatvarsh’s team was granted exclusive access to inspect the plant, witnessing firsthand the looming dangers and uncovering shocking evidence of missile and drone strikes.
A Welcome Shadowed by War
As we approached the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant, the landscape was eerily silent—yet tension hung thick in the air. Security was tight, and every movement was under strict surveillance. At the main entrance, ZNPP Director Yuriy Chernichuk greeted us, his face marked by the weight of responsibility.
He spoke about a recent visit by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, revealing that during that very week, Ukraine had launched over 100 drone attacks on the plant. What followed was even more startling—remnants of three downed drones were displayed before us, their shattered remains a chilling testament to the ongoing assaults.
Missiles Near a Nuclear Reactor – A Catastrophe Averted
The most shocking moment came when the director handed me a fragment of an American-made missile—a piece of evidence that had landed dangerously close to the nuclear reactor’s cooling pools. Had it struck its target, the consequences would have been unfathomable.
He explained how, after the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, the plant lost its primary water supply, forcing it to rely on underground reserves to keep its reactors cool. Even now, with 12 massive water-cooling stations working relentlessly, a single failure could trigger a nuclear disaster.
A Glimpse Inside: Where Atomic Power Meets High Security
Entering the heart of the plant felt like stepping into a high-stakes thriller. The sight of six massive reactor domes towering side by side was overwhelming. Russian military personnel stood watchful at every corner, their presence a stark reminder of the site’s strategic significance.
Inside, security was uncompromising. We were repeatedly warned not to film certain areas. At one point, my cameraman accidentally captured restricted footage, leading to immediate intervention by security personnel who deleted the clips. To ensure our access, the authorities provided a designated cameraman to record footage under their supervision.
Despite the restrictions, we were taken deep into the plant, past hundreds of nuclear fuel storage containers and high-tech control systems. At one facility, we saw the intricate mechanisms that regulate the nuclear reactions—fuel rods, cooling systems, and safety protocols that, if compromised, could unleash an environmental catastrophe.
Nuclear Fuel Storage: A Disaster Waiting to Happen?
One of the most unsettling revelations was the storage of 200 nuclear fuel containers, each housing highly radioactive material. To our surprise, these deadly fuel containers were stored in the open air, protected only by a thin iron mesh—a crude defense against drone strikes.
From my experience covering conflict zones, I immediately recognized the vulnerability of this setup. While the mesh could deflect small explosives, a direct missile strike could be catastrophic.
The Evidence Speaks: Drone Attacks and American Missiles
In another secured area, we were shown a large missile fragment, allegedly fired from Ukrainian positions. This piece of debris had landed right behind Reactor No. 3, dangerously close to the nuclear fuel storage. The scars of previous attacks were visible—damaged infrastructure, impact craters, and sealed-off areas that had endured heavy bombardment.
More disturbing was the serial number on a recovered drone, written in English. The ZNPP director emphasized that targeting a nuclear plant with drones and missiles is not just an act of war—it is a crime against humanity.
Inside the Reactor: Understanding the Nuclear Threat
One of the most astonishing moments came when we were taken inside a special unit housing an operational nuclear reactor. Here, we saw up close how nuclear fission is controlled. A senior official even handed me a prototype of a nuclear fuel assembly, explaining how its insertion into the reactor must be executed with precision—within four seconds—to prevent a meltdown.
Watching the control rods being manipulated with extreme caution, I couldn’t help but think: What if one of those missile fragments had hit this unit instead?
A Disaster Beyond Borders
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant is not just a Ukrainian or Russian issue—it is a global concern. Any major accident here wouldn’t just affect the war-torn region but could spread radiation across Europe, Asia, and beyond.
As we left the facility, I couldn’t shake the realization that this war isn’t just about territory—it’s about survival. The reckless targeting of a nuclear facility puts the entire world at risk. And while leaders in far-off capitals discuss strategies and countermeasures, the men and women inside Zaporizhzhia live each day knowing that one wrong move, one misguided missile, could change history forever.
