Russia's Occupation of Chernobyl Raises Radiation Leak Concerns... IAEA Says "No Nuclear Plant Damage" (Comprehensive)

Gateway location to Kyiv... Russia occupies after fierce battle
IAEA "No facility damage or leakage... Requests restraint in military actions"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Concerns over radioactive leakage are growing as it has been reported that Russian forces have occupied the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, where an explosion accident occurred in 1986. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that there is no damage to the facility or leakage so far and has requested maximum restraint in military actions.

According to foreign media including the AP News on the 24th (local time), the Ukrainian presidential office announced that it lost control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant facility after clashes with Russian forces. The presidential office expressed concern, saying, "It is difficult to say the plant is safe after the complete indiscriminate attack by Russian forces," and added, "This is one of the most serious issues currently facing Europe."

Mikhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the presidential office, told AP that the safety status of the plant’s reactor, containment walls, and waste storage could not be confirmed. AP News, citing sources familiar with the Chernobyl plant, reported that "the radioactive waste storage was hit by Russian shelling, and radiation levels are rising," but noted that the increase in radiation levels has not been immediately confirmed.

The reason Russian forces occupied this site despite the risk of radiation exposure to their own soldiers is presumed to be to accelerate their advance toward Kyiv. The Chernobyl nuclear power plant is located 16 km south of the Belarus border and about 130 km north of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, positioned on the shortest route for advancing to Kyiv. The Russian side has not yet made any official statement regarding the occupation of Chernobyl.

In response to the news, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a statement expressing serious concern about the fighting near the nuclear plant and appealed for maximum restraint in military actions. Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, emphasized, "So far, no casualties or facility damage have been reported. The Ukrainian regulatory authorities have stated that there are no casualties or accidents and that communication is ongoing," adding, "The safe operation of undisturbed nuclear facilities is extremely important. Military activities must be restrained."

Meanwhile, Chernobyl is the site of the disaster that occurred on April 26, 1986. Due to the large amount of radioactive material released after the explosion, civilian access within a 30 km radius is still restricted. The disaster death toll, including those who died from cancer caused by radiation exposure, is estimated to be around 115,000 people.