Over 2,000 Chernobyl staff members under Russian troops while Ukrenergo fears radioactive damage, receives a statement from IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)
The Russian invasions in Ukraine have brought about various geographical and humanitarian impacts within the last few weeks. The troops made their way into Chernobyl, the former nuclear power plant on 24th February. The security systems, the safety of the existing workforce and the power supply to the cooling systems for spent nuclear fuel at the nuclear power plant are compromised. Ukrenergo fears the repetition of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster that brought about catastrophic humanitarian loss and radioactive contamination. The UN-backed IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) claims that there is “no critical safety impact” due to the power supply cut and denies the possibility of it.
Ukraine’s Energy Operator on Chernobyl Electric Supply Power Cut
Ukraine’s energy operator Ukrenergo holds the Russian Army invasion responsible for the possibility of Radioactive damages and leakages. The 1986 Chernobyl disaster has seen sufficient time pass by since its occurrence. However, it still needs constant management to avoid any possibility of radioactive accidents in the future that may cause the lives of millions.
The restoration of the power supply lines has become difficult due to the military invasion. The energy operator of Ukraine said that the plant was fully disconnected from the power grid that posed imminent threats of radioactive leakages.
The site’s spent fuel needs cooling that is provided by the electric power supply at Chernobyl. Without it, the water meant to be cooling the 20,000 spent fuel rods will eventually begin to evaporate with radioactive substances that could prove to be harmful over time.
“The reserve diesel generators have a 48-hour capacity to power, after that, the cooling systems of the storage facility for spent nuclear fuel will stop.”, tweeted Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba. He also urges Russia to immediately cease fire, allow firefighters, and establish a security zone.
IAEA’S Take and Other Subsequent Impacts
The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) believes that the recurrence of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster is highly unlikely due to the amount of time that has elapsed since the incident. The amount of heat needed to spark such a radioactive disaster would not be sufficiently produced by the spent nuclear fuel even without any electrical supply. It reviewed the situation with the statement “No critical safety impact”. They claim that no damage has been done by radioactive substances and that the possibility of leakages from the infrastructure is close to nil.
Furthermore, the loss of air conditioning that was the originating point of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster would lead to the abrasion of the billion-euro edifice. Slavutych, a town housing most of the staff members of Chernobyl, has also observed a power cut parallel to that of the former nuclear power plant. This measures to no supply of water or electricity for the inhabitants.
However, the IAEA has lost all remote transmission of data from the safety monitoring systems. This poses a skeptical situation for the safety of the staff working at the location. Over 2,000 staff members are under the invasion of the Russian guards. This has urged Ukrenergo and the Ukraine foreign minister to take immediate actions for their safety.
Ukraine is constantly urging Russia to call for a ceasefire to avoid the resultant cost of lives, infrastructure and valuable assets. While the international forums, scholars and the UN atomic watchdog see no possibility of the recurrence of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, Ukraine is constantly summoning the eyes of the world towards the urgency of this situation that may result in radioactive threats not only for Ukraine but also for the rest of the world.
Published by Iram Rizvi
