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Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine’s Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Under Russian Control. Is the Capital Kyiv next?

Ukraine’s Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been captured by the Russian forces and the Russian troops are getting closer to the Capital Kyiv. 

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Ukraine has already informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Russian forces have taken control of the facilities of the State Specialized Enterprise Chernobyl NPP (Nuclear Power Plant). 

“It is impossible to say the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is safe after a totally pointless attack by the Russians,” Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Ukrainian presidential office said in a statement. “This is one of the most serious threats in Europe today.” According to Reuters. 

Chernobyl nuclear power plant
An aerial view from a plane shows a New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure over the old sarcophagus covering the damaged fourth reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant during a tour to the Chernobyl exclusion zone, Ukraine April 3, 2021. (Image: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo)

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director-General of IAEA said in a statement that Ukraine has informed the agency that the country’s nuclear power plants remained stable and in normal operation. He reiterates the necessity to avoid any action that could risk their safety or security. 

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Ukraine has a total of four nuclear power plants in the country. These four plants contain 15 reactors, providing nearly half of their electricity. 

“The safety and security of nuclear sites and material in Ukraine must under no circumstances be endangered. For now, the plants are operating as normal and their nuclear material remains under control. It is of paramount importance that this continues to be the case and that plant staff remain able to carry out their vital work without any undue pressure or stress,” Director General Grossi said. 

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The IAEA continues to closely monitor developments in Ukraine, with a special focus on the safety and security of its nuclear reactors. The IAEA remains in constant contact with its counterpart and will provide regular updates on the situation in Ukraine. 

After seizing the nuclear power plant and destroying major military bases and air defense posts of Ukraine, the Russian military is marching towards the major cities of Ukraine. The most important city is the capital Kyiv, which Moscow now wants to hold on to and to put serious pressure on the Ukrainian government to bow down. 

According to Associated Press reports, Russia pressed its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital, after unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases. The Ukrainian president requested help from NATO and the EU. 

The Ukrainian government requested its citizens with military backgrounds to take weapons and defend the country along with the Ukrainian military. 

On the decision to give weapons to civilians, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said, “many people are ready to fight for the country.” 

Ukrainian Military
Ukrainian servicemen sit atop armored personnel carriers driving on a road in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences you have never seen.” (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

The mayor confirmed the death of nine civilians in Kyiv including one child. According to AP news agency reports. 

Russian troops advancement towards the capital Kyiv is much slower than many military experts had expected. 

“To be honest, we don’t have 100% control,” said Mayor Klitschko. “We built this territorial defense (system) in a short amount of time – but these are patriotic people.” 

In response to a question about the city’s capacity to replenish dwindling stocks of food and medicine, the mayor said, “we are at the border of a humanitarian catastrophe.” 

He further added, “Right now, we have electricity, right now we have water and heating in our houses. But the infrastructure is destroyed to deliver the food and medication.” 

He said, “Every Ukrainian is proud to be independent, proud to be Ukrainian, and we are proud to have our own country.” 

The Russian military is also moving towards Kharkiv, the second important city of Ukraine. According to BBC reports, the residents of Kharkiv describe an intense battle to defend the city. Ukrainian military forces said they have repelled an attack on the country’s second city Kharkiv after fierce clashes with the Russian military. 

The city was now rid of Russian troops – after street-to-street fighting, regional governor Oleh Synehubov said. 

According to BBC, thousands spent the night in basements and shelters, with intense shelling described by one resident as, “something like Star Wars above your head.” 

Analysis:

Russia Ukraine’s conflict has taken the shape of a full-scale war between the two countries. 

World powers must intervene and force the Moscow and Ukrainian governments to come to the table and resolve their issues with talks. This will surely save thousands of lives.

Source:

  1. Reuters
  2. IAEA Official Website
  3. AP News Agency