August 19th 2024.
According to a leading expert in risk management, the UK's nuclear industry is currently under threat from hostile powers. Dr. Simon Bennett has warned that the world is on the brink of another world war, and that Russia is already using nuclear power plants as a means of "atomic blackmail".
Dr. Bennett, who is from the University of Leicester, has revived a Cold War-era theory that suggests nuclear facilities can be weaponized for political purposes. He has urged the UK government to increase defense spending in order to protect these crucial facilities.
His concerns stem from the recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine, where there are several nuclear power plants at risk. Dr. Bennett believes that if Russia is pushed to a corner, they could potentially use these plants as "dirty bombs", causing catastrophic damage to not only Ukraine but also its neighboring countries.
"The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia is the first large-scale conflict where there are potentially numerous nuclear power plants at risk," he stated. "Not only at Zaporizhzhia, which is Europe's largest power plant, but also in Russia, where the current incursion could see the Ukrainians reach the Kursk nuclear power station if they drive hard to the east."
Dr. Bennett also brought up the concept of "atomic blackmail", which was first proposed in the 1980s by author Bennett Ramberg. This theory suggests that as the number of nuclear power plants increases, so does the potential for an aggressor to use them as leverage against the owners.
The recent safety incidents at the Zaporizhzhia power plant, including a fire and reports of drones and shelling, only add to Dr. Bennett's concerns. He fears that Russia could be using these incidents as a way to intimidate Ukraine and its Western allies.
"The potential for a facility like Zaporizhzhia to be used very crudely against an opponent is clear to see," he explained. "If the plant, which has six reactors, was rigged with powerful demolition mines, and they were detonated, the radiation would be off the scale. It's possible the Russians have already placed explosives there."
Dr. Bennett compared this potential scenario to one of the darkest days in history, where Hitler ordered the destruction of Germany's infrastructure at the end of World War Two. He believes that Putin, if pushed to a corner, could become an "irrational actor" and potentially use Zaporizhzhia as an act of spite.
The safety situation at Zaporizhzhia has only worsened since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with reports of a nearby drone strike and the International Atomic Energy Agency stating that the situation is deteriorating. This has led to high-level warnings that the UK could be heading towards a direct military confrontation with Russia.
Dr. Bennett also expressed concerns about the UK's own nuclear facilities, particularly under the current government's plans for expansion. He believes that these facilities are susceptible to sabotage and infiltration, and that the UK government needs to take these nuclear threats more seriously.
"If we think more laterally, the number of power stations in the UK is growing, and through the optics of Ramberg's theory, we are offering our enemies more targets and potentially more leverage over us in a conflict," he said.
Dr. Bennett also suggested that the Russian security agencies could be recruiting and running individuals as "sleepers" within the British state and nuclear industry, ready to be activated at any moment. He referenced the recent news of three civil servants being charged under the National Security Act for allegedly spying for China.
"In my opinion, the government's obsession with net zero and climate change agreements distracts from a far greater threat to safety, namely atomic blackmail," he stated. "The primary purpose of the state is national security, and in my view, we have lost sight of that purpose."
The author has raised these concerns with various governments, including Rishi Sunak's, but has not yet received any acknowledgement. However, he remains determined to continue raising awareness about the potential dangers and to try to save lives.
"It might sound sanctimonious, but my job is simply to raise awareness and try to save lives," he said. "I left a good job in London because I wanted to do something for my fellow human beings and to give something back to Britain, which has been good to me. I'm not disheartened, I will keep on trying, and if people don't want to listen to me, that's fine, it's their loss."
The Agency has reached out to the Ministry of Defence for comment on the matter.
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