Science and Environment
The Science and Environment Section of IR Insider publishes breaking news reports and analyses regarding global scientific and environmental developments and their broader social, political, and economic implications. Topics covered in the Science and Environment Section may include space programs, climate change, energy and conservation, pollution, endangered species, and beyond. Our section editor is Adela Vela.
War in Ukraine Poses Nuclear Danger to Region
After Russian forces invaded Ukraine in Feb. 2022, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern Ukraine quickly fell to aggressor forces. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, was taken over in March. Now, increased fighting in the area threatens to destabilize the plant and lead to a regional disaster.
Fighting in the region resumed over the summer and missile and artillery strikes hit vulnerable power lines that ran to the plant, reducing the power output of the plant to a minimum. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was allowed to visit the plant later in the summer, prompting Russia to permit Ukrainian upkeep personnel to repair the plant and restore safety.