Russia Claims Protection Structure At PLTN Zaporizhia Is Almost Complete

JAKARTA - The construction of a protective structure for key facilities at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern Ukraine is nearing completion, Russia's news agency reported Tuesday, citing an adviser to the head of Russia's nuclear plant operator.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, was seized by Russian forces in March last year, on the days of opening the Moscow invasion in Ukraine.

The plant has repeatedly become a 'witness' of the fierce fighting of both sides, which has led to criticism due to the risk of a nuclear disaster.

"The construction of engineering and construction structures, designed to provide additional protection for important infrastructure facilities for nuclear power plants, including those related to the storage of radioactive materials, is in the finalization stage," explained Renat Karchaa of the Russian Rosenergoatom.

However, Karchaa did not provide other details about the structure. He added that there had been no shootings at PLTN Zaporizhia since the beginning of the year.

In December, Russia said it had put up shields above the stockpile of nuclear waste at the plant.

Separately, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been trying to build a safe zone around the plant, but it said earlier this year that the intermediary deal in the zone was increasingly difficult.