Energy workers restore power to Chernobyl: radiation levels within normal limits
20 January 22:57
Russia continues its targeted strikes on energy infrastructure. On the night of January 20, a massive attack with missiles and drones hit key energy hubs that supply electricity to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Currently, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is once again receiving power from the United Energy System of Ukraine. This was reported by the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
What happened during the attack
According to the ministry, the strikes were targeted and affected precisely those energy facilities on which the safe operation of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant depends. These are the power supplies for critically important systems, in particular the infrastructure for storing spent nuclear fuel.
“Currently, thanks to the coordinated work of energy specialists, all facilities of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, in particular the New Safe Confinement and spent nuclear fuel storage facilities, are powered by the United Energy System of Ukraine in normal mode,” the Ministry of Energy reported.
Is there a threat to the population?
The ministry emphasizes that the radiation background at the Chernobyl industrial site and in the exclusion zone does not exceed control levels.
There is currently no threat to the population or the environment.
The station’s personnel are working in enhanced monitoring mode, and the facility is equipped with backup power sources and fuel reserves in case of repeated attacks.
Ukraine’s position and international reaction
The Ministry of Energy emphasizes that strikes on nuclear safety-related facilities are a gross violation of international law.
“Such actions by the aggressor are absolutely unacceptable. By creating the risk of power outages at Chernobyl facilities, the enemy is threatening the security of not only Ukraine but the entire European continent,” the ministry said.
Ukraine insists on an extraordinary meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors to assess the consequences of Russian strikes on the power system. This was agreed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
Russian occupation forces seized the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant at the beginning of the invasion in 2022, but later left the facility. Since then, the exclusion zone has been repeatedly threatened by missile strikes and drone attacks.
Russian occupation forces seized the Chernobyl nuclear power plant at the beginning of the invasion in 2022, but later left the facility. Since then, the exclusion zone has been repeatedly threatened by missile strikes and drone attacks.
