Espreso. Global

Kursk NPP staff prepares to stop plant if Ukrainian troops enter

Kate Kikot
10 August, 2024 Saturday
19:30

The Russian media reported on the mood among the population of Kurchatov and employees of the Kursk NPP, as well as described the man-made consequences of the shutdown of electricity generation at the facility

client/title.list_title

There is a popular belief among Russians that the Ukrainian side allegedly intends to "get to the NPP in Kurchatov and exchange it for the Zaporizhzhia NPP."

Residents of Kurchatov and employees of the nuclear power plant also say this.

Read also:  Kursk lessons: Russians have zero self-organization

"The operational staff is ready. That is, if they do enter the territory, they will immediately stop the operating units. This is one of the possible options," a source familiar with the situation told Russian media 7x7.

According to him, if the plant has to be shut down, electricity will be supplied to Kurchatov residents from the main reserve fund. Currently, according to the source, the military is guarding the plant, and construction of NPP-2 has been suspended until mid-August.

On August 9, Kurchatov was left without electricity. Acting Governor Alexei Smirnov said that the reason was a drone strike on a transformer substation.

How the city lives

Yesterday, on August 9, Kurchatov was under a missile alert several times, and Telegram channels reported explosions. According to local residents, the city was not often shelled before the Ukrainian army broke through the border. Now there are much fewer people on the streets than before. Military vehicles and tanks are driving around Kurchatov.

According to a resident who is familiar with the situation and asked for anonymity, wounded soldiers are allegedly being brought to the local hospital.

Read also: “Ukraine mustn't repeat what Russians did at Zaporizhzhia atomic station" - former Energy Minister

"If they (Ukrainians - ed.) are in Lgov, then God only knows what will happen next. Lgov is nearby, literally 20-30 km away. As everyone says, if they come to Lgov, there will be little chance of defending Kurchatov. It's even doubtful. How can we expect a 'victory', what kind of equipment can we talk about, if our hospital does not have water, clothes and basic necessities, even valves for drips and pain relief," a resident of Kurchatov, a satellite city of the Kursk NPP, complains.

There were also strong explosions in Lgov on August 9. The entry to the city is blocked, but trains still run there.

Consequences of the Kursk NPP shutdown

The Kursk NPP accounts for more than half of the installed capacity of all power plants in Russia's five regions (Belgorod, Kursk, Voronezh, Lipetsk, and Tambov).

The plant is one of the three largest nuclear power plants in Russia. The plant has four power units in total, but only units 3 and 4 with a total capacity of 2,000 MW are in generation mode.

If Russia loses control over the Kursk NPP, a large-scale blackout could occur, said Andrei Ozharovsky, a Russian physics engineer.

"If those who gain control over it somehow stop the generation of electricity, it is quite possible that the situation that occurred during the emergency shutdown of one of the reactors at the Rostov nuclear power plant, when there was a large-scale blackout, and millions of people (in the south of Russia - ed.) were left without electricity," RTVi quoted him as saying.

The power system as a whole can be restored by introducing a reserve and by means of a network maneuver, i.e. transferring electricity from other regions, Ozharovsky believes. But this, he said, will take time.

"Plus, we need to take into account that the nuclear power plant is not yet under threat, but the Russian power system in southern Russia is quite seriously damaged. And this may complicate the situation," Ozharovsky summarized.

  • As of August 10, 2024, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kursk region claims to have evacuated 76,000 people from the war zone.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Tuesday
5 November
21:20
Exclusive
Voice of America correspondent: U.S. election sees unusually high voter turnout
21:10
G7, allies are working on joint response to DPRK troop deployment in Russia
20:56
Exclusive
Ukraine to receive Abrams tanks from Australia within months - Defense Express
20:40
Poland to spend $750 million to increase ammunition production
20:25
Russia stockpiling P-800 Oniks missiles - military expert
20:11
Russian troops execute six Ukrainian prisoners of war
19:56
Fourth group of Ukrainian operators completes Patriot air defense training in Germany
19:37
Exclusive
Europe 70% prepared for Trump’s potential return to power - Ukrainian analyst
19:20
75 combat engagements take place along frontline, Kurakhove sector is hottest spot — General Staff
18:58
Exclusive
Dnipropetrovsk region in critical condition, very little information about fortifications - local deputy
18:39
First clashes occur between Ukrainian army and DPRK military in Kursk region, Ukrainian Defense Minister confirms
18:21
Ukrainian forces destroy 102 Russian tank battalions since beginning of 2024
18:00
Russia trains DPRK military in Kursk region to use various drones
17:42
Over 500 Ukrainians from 30 countries apply to join Ukrainian Legion in Poland
17:20
Polish politician accuses Zelenskyy of trying to drag his state into war, Ukraine responds
17:10
Updated
Google Maps releases satellite images of Ukrainian military systems, claims they are outdated
16:57
OPINION
Russian propaganda against Ukrainians intensifies: what are the underlying reasons
16:48
Russia shells village in Kharkiv region, killing two people
16:36
Russia focuses on Donetsk region: UK intelligence analyzes frontline developments
16:15
Russian troops turn to electric scooters for mobility in Kharkiv region
15:50
Exclusive
Russian troops poised to launch major missile strikes as frost sets in — aviation expert
15:36
Forecasted U.S. vote outcomes: what are the likely Senate, House, and presidential results
15:17
Updated
Russia attacks Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia, killing 6 people, injuring 23
15:14
Review
North Korean troops to lead assault waves for Russia in Kursk region. Serhiy Zgurets' column
14:57
Russia allegedly conspired to place incendiary devices on aircraft heading to U.S.
14:32
North Korea launches missiles into East Sea hours before U.S. presidential election
14:15
EU probes scheme to re-label Russian oil in Turkey for European markets
13:21
Review
In life and death: The heroic story of Valkyrie and Berserk, fallen heroes of the Ukrainian frontline
12:56
Western officials urge Europe to brace for U.S. election outcomes, resist compromise with Russia
12:39
Exclusive
Ukrainian forces can hamper Russian advance near Kurakhove - military expert Zgurets
12:19
OPINION
U.S. elections: candidates ready to deny defeat
11:58
"Most active threat": U.S. warns of Russia's possible interference in election process
11:32
Pro-Trump blogger admits to posting fake claims about U.S. elections at Russia’s request
11:16
Exclusive
Russian forces prioritize Kupyansk sector offensive, seeking foothold in Kruhliakivka
10:56
Russia launches Soyuz-2.1 rocket with two Iranian satellites
10:37
Russia loses 1,260 soldiers, 29 artillery systems, 15 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
10:16
Russia seizes Ukraine's Stepanivka, Donetsk region, advances near 4 more settlements — DeepState
09:56
Australia to donate 14 military boats to Ukraine
09:38
NATO may consider intercepting Russian missiles over Ukraine next week - Polish FM
2024, Monday
4 November
21:40
Over 80 million tons of cargo exported through Ukrainian sea corridor
More news