CND Press Digest: Wednesday 5th July 2023
Posted: 5th July 2023
War In Ukraine/NATO
- Russia has planted suspected explosives on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant roofs, says Zelenskiy.
- Reuters: Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday accused each other of plotting to stage an attack on the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, long the subject of mutual recriminations and suspicions.
- Hamish De Bretton-Gordon in The Telegraph: “Ukrainian intelligence has warned for some time that Russian forces occupying the nuclear plant have mined the power station and wired the reactors with explosives. At the same time, Russian authorities have been claiming Ukraine will create a nuclear disaster by firing artillery shells at the plant. It’s a transparent exercise in preparing the ground. If the Russians detonate the plant, it will likely spread radioactive contamination over a vast area. This could well head west across Ukraine and into Western Europe.
UK Nuclear Weapons
- Navel Technology reports: The UK has committed more than £800m to a service life extension programme for the Trident II D5 intercontinental ballistic missiles(ICBMs), that are operated by the Royal Navy as part of the country’s strategic continuous at sea nuclear deterrent programme. The figures came to light in a recent parliamentary written response, detailing the UK’s contribution to the US-led programme to keep Trident II D5 ICBMs in service until at least the 2040s. Broken down, the UK has committed £320.5m to the life extension programme, £140m in sustaining key components, and £361m to extend service life of the missile boost rocket motors – a total cost of £821.5m (approximately $1bn).
AUKUS
- The Washington Post looks at the balancing act New Zealand is playing over potential participation in parts of the AUKUS military pact and trade with China.
- A look at how countries in South East Asia are viewing AUKUS.
Fukushima
- The Times and IAEA’s decision to allow Japan to go ahead with its plan to dump millions of tonnes of radioactive water from Fukushima in the ocean.
- Despite domestic opposition to the Japanese plan, the South Korean government saidit respects the UN nuclear watchdog’s opinion.
North Korea
- A North Korean spy satellite salvaged from the sea by South Korea following its failed launch, did not have any military utility.