Ukrainian Preparedness Drills Take Place in Zaporizhzhia Amid Radiation Concerns from Russian-Controlled Nuclear Facility

Ukrainian emergency personnel, outfitted in white and yellow protective attire and equipped with radiation detection gear, participated in a preparatory exercise on Thursday. The drill aimed to mitigate potential radiation leak hazards from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station currently under Russian control.

Numerous civilians took part in the rehearsal on the city outskirts of Zaporizhzhia, which is situated approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) away from Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.

A medical tent was designated for emergency services to practice decontamination procedures with soap, and simulated treatment sessions for faux victims from potential radiation exposure zones.

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The nuclear power plant fell into Russian hands early in the conflict and has since become a contentious topic as both Russia and Ukraine trade blame for shelling the facility.

Ukraine’s military intelligence has recently alleged, though without substantiating, that Russia is orchestrating a “large-scale provocation” at the southeastern nuclear power plant. Last week saw government officials from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration apprise international delegates about the potential threat.

If a disaster were to occur at the plant, affected residents would be relocated from contaminated areas to a center offering medical and psychological support, according to emergency services.

The following stage would involve decontamination of residents at a temporary facility before they are transported to evacuation points.

Larysa Mykolaieva, a participant in the exercise, admitted to feelings of apprehension but acknowledged the importance of the drill. She and her family have made provisions such as storing food, drinking water, and procuring masks in anticipation of a possible catastrophe.

“Our approach is to plan for the worst and hope for the best,” stated Mykolaieva.

In response to last year’s initial threat of a plant accident, Ukraine established a crisis response unit. This wasn’t the first time drills were conducted.

Emergency services estimate that in the event of a nuclear disaster, about 300,000 residents from four regions closest to the plant—Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv—would need to be evacuated. This evacuation would be compulsory.

Evacuees will be permitted to take their pets, and transport would be provided via buses, trains, and personal vehicles.

The direction of the wind and the spread of radiation will determine the safer regions within Ukraine where people will be relocated.

“There are different scenarios, but we are preparing for the most critical one,” stated Yurii Vlasenko, the Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Energy.

This story benefited from the contributions of Big Big News reporters Dmytro Zhyhinas and Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Stay updated with the AP’s coverage of the war at https://bigbignews.net/russia-ukraine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ukraine Radiation Drill

More about Ukraine Radiation Drill

• Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
• Background of the Ukraine-Russia Conflict
• Effects of Radiation Exposure
• Evacuation Procedures during a Nuclear Disaster
• Global Nuclear Power Plants