Russian invasion of Ukraine: What is the likelihood of a nuclear accident or attack?
CTV
The chances of a nuclear attack by Russia are currently quite low, but there is ongoing worry around the possibility of a nuclear accident, defence policy experts and nuclear scientists say.
The fire at Zaporizhzhia, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, in the early hours of Friday heightened concerns around the security and safety of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called for an end to armed conflict that put the plants at “severe risk” and jeopardized the safety of the public and environment.
At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order less than a week ago to put Russian nuclear forces on high alert also fuelled debate over its significance. Concerns over escalating tensions were such that a planned, routine test launch of U.S. intercontinental missiles, the Minuteman III, was postponed on Thursday.
CTVNews.ca interviewed nuclear scientists, policy and military experts who outlined their views on some of the potential nuclear risks and what that could mean for Canada and North America.
While the risk of a catastrophic accident at a nuclear facility is low, most experts say it is a more likely scenario than a deliberate bombing.
