UN nuclear watchdog's alarm at shelling of Chernobyl workers' town

IAEA criticises Russia for putting them at risk by targeting town where Chernobyl staff live

A safety structure over the old sarcophagus covering the damaged fourth reactor at Chernobyl. Reuters

The International Atomic Energy Agency expressed “concern” on Thursday after Ukraine warned of bombardment by Russia of the town where staff working at the Chernobyl nuclear site live.

“Ukraine informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today that Russian forces were shelling Ukrainian checkpoints in the city of Slavutych where many people working at the nearby Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant live, putting them at risk,” the Vienna-based UN agency said.

Its director-general, Rafael Grossi, said the incident came “just a few days after technical staff at the Chernobyl [plant] were finally able to rotate and go to their homes in Slavutych and rest after working for nearly four weeks without a change of shift".

Russian forces took control of the plant on February 24.

About 100 Ukrainian technicians then continued to run the daily operations at the radioactive site for nearly four weeks without being rotated.

The UN agency also referred to forest fires in the vicinity of the plant, which was the site of the worst nuclear disaster in history in 1986.

These fires do not pose “any major radiological concerns”, according to the Ukrainian regulatory authority, an opinion shared by the IAEA experts.

An environmental analysis laboratory was “looted” and equipment stolen, the authority also said.

Since the start of the Russian military offensive, the IAEA chief has repeatedly warned of the dangers of the conflict, which is the first to take place in a country with a vast nuclear estate comprising 15 reactors, in addition to Chernobyl.

Mr Grossi reiterated this week that he was prepared to send equipment and staff to ensure the safety of the facilities and “prevent a serious nuclear accident".

He criticised the fact that an agreement had not yet been reached with Moscow and Kiev despite intensive efforts.

The West also issued warnings on Thursday.

“Russia's attack has already risked the safety and security of nuclear sites in Ukraine. Russian military activities are creating extreme risks for the population and the environment, with the potential for catastrophic result,” the G7 leaders — the US, France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Canada and Japan — said in a joint statement.