Nuclear Research Facility Attacked By Russia In Kharkiv, No Fears Of Radiation Leak: IAEA Chief

Grossi while confirming the attack on Monday said that the incident had happened a day earlier, and it did not lead to any leak or increase in radiation levels at the site.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi | Photo: Getty

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, another nuclear research facility in Ukraine was attacked by Russia reported news agency IANS. 

This time the Russian forces targeted a nuke research facility in Ukraine's Kharkiv city.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said that the nuclear research facility producing radioisotopes for medical and industrial applications, has been damaged in shelling by Russian forces, reported IANS.

Grossi while confirming the attack on Monday said that the incident had happened a day earlier, and it did not lead to any leak or increase in radiation levels at the site.

"Because the nuclear material in the facility is always sub-critical and the inventory of radioactive material is very low, the IAEA's assessment confirmed that the damage reported to it would not have had any radiological consequence," the Director General was quoted by IANS.

In his statement Grossi further said that the Sunday incident has "highlighted once again the risks facing Ukraine's nuclear installations during the armed conflict, adding urgency to an IAEA initiative aimed at ensuring nuclear safety and security in the country".

"We have already had several episodes compromising safety at Ukraine's nuclear sites," he added, as reported by IANS.

On March 4, Russia had attacked the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine sparking fire in a nearby building used for training. As a result some of the reactors were shut. Later, Ukraine's state emergency service managed to douse the fire.

The Zaporizhzhia plant is the largest in Europe and accounts for more than a fifth of the total electricity generated in Ukraine.

Ukraine is the same country that witnessed the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, when steam explosion and fires released at least 5 per cent of the radioactive reactor core into the environment, affecting many parts of Europe.