Ukraine's Nuclear Watchdog Says Kharkiv Facility Again Hit By Russian Shelling

Kharkiv was besieged by Russian forces since the start of its invasion. The city has been facing repeated shelling of its residential buildings and critical infrastructure.

File Photo: AFP

New Delhi: Ukraine's nuclear watchdog said that a nuclear research facility in Kharkiv has again come under shelling by Russia.

According to The Associated Press, the watchdog stated that the fighting has made it impossible for it to assess the damage.

The neutron source experimental facility in the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology came under fire Saturday, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate informed, as reported by AP.

The newly built neutron source facility is used for the research and production of radioisotopes for medical and industrial needs.

The International Atomic Energy Agency stated that the nuclear material in the facility is always subcritical and the inventory of radioactive material is very low so there is reduced risk of radiation release.

Kharkiv was besieged by Russian forces since the start of its invasion. The city has been facing repeated shelling of its residential buildings and critical infrastructure.

Conflict-ridden Ukraine's nuclear facilities have been threatened by the Russian invasion.

Ukrainian authorities have previously reported about Russian shelling which damaged buildings at the Kharkiv facility. However, there has been no release of radiation.

Zelenskyy Says Russia Sowing Deep Hatred Among Ukrainians, Shelling In Lviv Shocks Residents

In an angry statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Moscow that it is sowing a deep hatred for Russia among his people, AP reported.

Russian military's constant bombings are reducing Ukrainian cities to rubble, killing civilians, and driving others into shelters.

"You are doing everything so that our people themselves leave the Russian language, because the Russian language will now be associated only with you, with your explosions and murders, your crimes," the Ukrainian President said in an impassioned video address late Saturday, as quoted by AP.

The statement came after several rockets struck the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Saturday.

As per The Associated Press, officials said there were two powerful explosions in the city which has been a haven for people fleeing the Russian assault in other parts of Ukraine.

The back-to-back attacks on Saturday took place as US President Joe Biden was visiting the capital of Poland, whose border is just 45 miles away.

The shelling frightened the residents and displaced Ukrainians who saw Lviv as a relatively safe place to rebuild their lives. The city was home to 700,000 people before the invasion, it has taken in many more since the attacks began over a month ago.

(With Agency Inputs)