War between Ukraine and Russiafile The reasons why remote control systems for nuclear materials stopped transmitting on Tuesday evening are unknown. An exchange with a Russian-controlled plant is possible only by e-mail.
Remote monitoring systems for nuclear materials at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine have stopped transmitting data to the International Atomic Energy Agency (AEIA).
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, taking control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, site of the worst nuclear disaster in history in 1986.
More than 200 technicians and security guards are stranded at the facility, which has just been operating under Russian surveillance for 13 consecutive days. The authority asked Russia to allow them rotation, rest and fixed hours necessary for the security of the facility.
Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, the United Nations nuclear watchdog, said “remote transmission of data from the safeguards monitoring systems installed at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been interrupted,” the IAEA said in a statement.
The IAEA uses the term “safeguards” to describe the technical measures it applies to nuclear materials and activities to deter the proliferation of nuclear weapons through early detection of the misuse of such materials. “I am deeply concerned about the difficult and stressful situation in which the personnel of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant find themselves, and the potential risks that this creates for nuclear safety,” Mr. Grossi warned.
With remote data communications disabled and the Ukrainian regulator only able to contact the power plant via email, Mr. Grossi reiterated his suggestion to visit the facility or other location in order to obtain a “commitment to safety” from all parties for Ukrainian power plants. .
The Russian army has also occupied a nuclear power plant in Zaporozhye, in southeastern Ukraine, since Friday, where its artillery strikes Ukrainians say set off a fire whose origin Moscow denies. Zaporozhye power plant is the most important power plant in Europe. Its reactors were commissioned between 1984 and 1995. They are of modern design compared to Chernobyl, the first power plant built in the country in 1970, where the reactors were far less safe.
The Russian news agency RIA Novosti on Wednesday released several videos of press statements from a National Guard officer who was shot in front of the Zaporozhye power plant. “Currently, the plant is operating normally. The site administration performs its functions. The situation is completely controlled by the National Guard, ”he assured in these pictures. “A large number of weapons and ammunition, including heavy weapons, have been found in the nuclear power plant reactors,” he said.