Chernobyl Plant Director Speaks to AFP
Containment Structure Damaged by Russian Attack in February
"Continued Strikes May Compromise Containment Facility"
The director of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant has warned that the containment structure protecting the nuclear facilities could collapse if there are further Russian attacks.
In an interview released on the 23rd (local time) with AFP, Director Sergii Tarakanov stated, "If a missile or drone strikes directly, or even if a weapon like an Iskander simply lands nearby, it could trigger a minor earthquake in the area," expressing this outlook.
He added, "After that, no one can guarantee that the containment structure will remain intact. That is the main threat."
The nuclear containment structure is a critical safety facility designed to prevent radioactive materials from spent nuclear fuel from leaking outside. It protects nuclear fuel and related equipment from external shocks such as missiles, explosions, and natural disasters.
He also pointed out that it could take three to four years to fully restore the containment structure damaged by Russian attacks earlier this year.
According to the Ukrainian government, a large hole was created in the containment structure during a drone strike on February 14, and a fire subsequently broke out on the roof. Due to continuous additional air raid warnings, it took more than two weeks to extinguish the fire.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated in an inspection conducted earlier this month that the nuclear containment structure "has lost key safety functions, including containment capability." However, it confirmed that there was no permanent damage to the load-bearing structures or monitoring systems. Director Tarakanov also reported that radiation levels at the site are "stable and within normal ranges."
The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which suffered the worst nuclear explosion accident in history in April 1986, has now ceased all reactor operations, but spent nuclear fuel is still stored in cooling facilities. In relation to this, the Ukrainian government has publicly criticized Russia for repeatedly attacking the Chernobyl plant.
Meanwhile, Russian drone and missile attacks targeting Ukraine continued on the 23rd (local time), just before Christmas. According to Reuters, a 4-year-old child was killed in the Russian airstrike that day, with two additional fatalities and five others injured.
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