If there was a severe accident, radiation would hit Russia, says expert

In an interview with CNNthis Friday (4), the president of the Brazilian Association of Nuclear Energy (ABEN), Carlos Henrique Mariz, spoke about the possible risks caused if Russian missiles hit reactors at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, in Ukraine.

On Friday, the Russian military attacked Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant. A fire raised fears of a possible accident, but the fire was contained. After the attack, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the reactors at the plant were safe and that no radioactive material was released.

For Carlos Henrique Mariz, Russia is not interested in causing problems at the plant, but in protecting this technology that is sold all over the world. To CNN, the interviewee explained that the Zaporizhzhia plant uses Russian technology.

“Russia gave full support to the construction and maintenance [da usina], it’s strange to think about what Russia wants by dropping a bomb on a nuclear power plant that represents their country, there may have been some technical glitch. It was not at the plant, the pump arrived at the administrative sector and it continues to work normally, it is important that there is tranquility so that the plant can continue operating, I don’t see how Russia is shooting itself in the foot”, he said.

The expert warns of the risks that Russia would face if there was an explosion at the nuclear plant. “First, if there was a severe accident there, it would throw radiation into space, which would hit Russia, it would hit the soldiers, everyone. Second that it was going to burn Russia’s name on the technology it sells the most around the world,” he added.