Pavlo Kovtonjuk, the head of Ukraine's nuclear energy company, has issued a grave warning regarding the potential restart of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is currently controlled by Russia. He highlights that such a move could lead to a nuclear accident, drawing parallels to the infamous Chernobyl disaster. Kovtonjuk asserts that Russia currently lacks the necessary Ukrainian equipment, spare parts, and control systems required for the safe operation of the plant, raising alarms about the plant's safety under Russian management.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, was seized by Russian forces early in the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to Kovtonjuk, Russia has plans to restart at least one reactor by 2027, which brings forth significant concerns given the ongoing war and the deteriorating safety conditions. He emphasizes that following the destruction of the Kahovka dam, the water resources needed for cooling the reactors are insufficient, further complicating the situation and heightening the risk of disaster.

In conclusion, Kovtonjuk insists that the only way to safely restart operations at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant would be to return it to Ukrainian control. This stance underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region and the implications such actions could have not only for Ukraine but also for the safety of nuclear energy across Europe, as the specter of another nuclear catastrophe looms large in the context of military conflict.