Russia attacks Kharkiv institute containing nuclear reactor, all communications with Chernobyl lost

Mohammed Saad , Friday 11 Mar 2022

Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada), announced in the early hours of Friday that the Russian forces attacked Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology, which it said contains an Experimental nuclear reactor inside of it.

A man walks with a bicycle in a street damaged by shelling in Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, March 10,
A man walks with a bicycle in a street damaged by shelling in Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, March 10, 2022. aAP

Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada), announced in the early hours of Friday that the Russian forces attacked Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology, which it said contains an Experimental nuclear reactor inside of it.

The parliament said in a tweet that the shelling caused a fire in a neighbouring hostel.

 

 The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said late on Thursday that Ukraine nuclear regulator told IAEA that it had lost all communication with Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and that it it 'can no longer provide updated information'. 

Director Gneral of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, said in a tweet that the IAEA is aware of reports that power has now been restored to the site, but needs confirmation.

 


Ukraine’s nuclear regulator had told IAEA that diesel generators were powering systems important for safety at Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and that the operator is not able to maintain some functions such as radiation monitoring, ventilation systems and normal lighting.

IAEA said that If emergency power were lost, it would still be possible for Chernobyl staff to monitor the water level and temperature of the spent fuel pool.

IAEA warned that they 'would do this under worsening radiation safety conditions and would not be able to follow operational radiation safety procedures'.

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