Radioactive Leak May Hit Europe After Russia Interrupted Power in Chernobyl

After Russian troop disconnected power to chernobyl nuclear power plant, there has been a "total blackout" in the site, bringing fear of radioactive leak.

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Without Power

Last month, Russian forces seized control of the facility in Ukraine, which currently has no power supply. Presently, there is no electricity in the nuclear reactor. Military operations are ongoing, thus there is no way to restore the lines of communication. Slavutich, a city in eastern Ukraine, is likewise without power.

Herman Halushchenko, Ukraine's Energy Minister, stated that authorities are unsure about Chernobyl's radiation levels. According to Halushchenko, they haven't heard anything since the Russians assumed control of the area. 

As for the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power facility, he claimed Ukraine had no control over what was happening there. According to the UN's nuclear watchdog, things are getting worse for Ukrainian workers who are being guarded by Russians. 

Also Read: Beware! 5 of the Most Radioactive Places on Earth That Are Forbidden From Anyone

Possible Radiation Leaks From the Plant 

Staff who were taken hostage by Putin's men after they stormed the nuclear power plant are reportedly being overworked and given inadequate food supplies. According to The Sun, concerns are growing for the safety of the more than 200 workers and guards who have been stranded on the site for the past 13 days since the Russians took control of the facility. 

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that the situation for the plant's workers was deteriorating and that they could only contact with the facility via email. Rest and regular shifts are essential for the site's safety, according to the United Nations. 

The facility's staff is said to be surviving on one supper of porridge and two hours of sleep a day because they are required to work 24 hours a day. As result of their dire circumstances, they are severely malnourished, fatigued, and sad. A terrible scenario has left them malnourished, tired, and dejected. 

Many people can only sleep for two to four hours at a time on tables or wherever they can find a space since they have no place to sleep and no blankets. In order to get food, medicine, or personal hygiene goods, tired workers have reportedly been forced to plunder their coworkers' lockers. According to Ukrainian officials, workers at Chernobyl have limited access to food, water, and medicine. 

Ensuring the Safety of Ukraine's Power Facilities 

The International Atomic Energy Agency has also claimed that Russians had obstructed the plant's crucial communications links. According to the agency's chief Rafael Grossi, remote data transmission had been lost from safeguards monitoring devices established at the Chornobyl NPP. 

The agency is looking into the status of safeguards monitoring systems in other places in Ukraine and will offer further information soon, the UN nuclear watchdog said. Nuclear material and activities are safeguarded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in an effort to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons by early discovery of misuse. 

To ensure the commitment to safety and security of Ukraine's power facilities, Mr Grossi reaffirmed his offer of trip after remote data transmission was cut off. In the early hours of February 24, as war broke out along Ukraine's eastern borders, Russian forces took control of the territory surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, as per The Conversation.

During the construction of the final two reactors in 1986, two employees were killed and 28 others perished from radiation exposure within a few weeks. Newly-born livestock were born with abnormalities due to radioactive contamination that extended to Italy and France. 

Radiation Levels at Chernobyl Nuclear Plant

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), workers were working in shifts and radiation levels were steady at the site. 

RIA Novosti, a Russian news agency, released video showing a Russian soldier standing in front of the plant and declaring that Moscow's forces have complete control of the facility. 

Ukrainian weapons were allegedly kept at the location, according to the official. Russia seized the reactors and uncovered a huge number of armaments and ammunitions, including heavy weapons, he claimed.

Related Article: Experts Fear Radiation Levels '10x Worse Than Chernobyl' as Russia Attacks Nuclear Plant in Ukraine

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