INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Chernobyl nuclear power plant is no longer transmitting data to the UN's atomic watchdog, the agency said Tuesday, as it voiced concern
for staff working under Russian guard at the Ukrainian facility.On Feb
24, Russia invaded Ukraine and seized the defunct Chernobyl plant, site of a 1986 disaster that killed hundreds and spread radioactive
contamination west across Europe.International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi "indicated that remote data transmission from
safeguards monitoring systems installed at the Chornobyl NPP had been lost," the agency said in a statement."The Agency is looking into the
status of safeguards monitoring systems in other locations in Ukraine and will provide further information soon," it said.The IAEA uses the
term "safeguards" to describe technical measures it applies to nuclear material and activities, with the objective of deterring the spread
of nuclear weapons through early detection of the misuse of such material.More than 200 technical staff and guards remain trapped at the
site, working 13 days straight since the Russian takeover.The situation for the staff "was worsening" at the site, the IAEA said, citing the
Ukrainian nuclear regulator.The defunct plant sits inside an exclusion zone that houses decommissioned reactors as well as radioactive waste
agency called on Russia to allow workers to rotate because rest and regular shifts were crucial to the site's safety."I'm deeply concerned
about the difficult and stressful situation facing staff at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant and the potential risks this entails for
nuclear safety," said Grossi."I call on the forces in effective control of the site to urgently facilitate the safe rotation of personnel
there."With remote data transmission cut off and the Ukrainian regulator only able to contact the plant by email, Grossi reiterated his
offer to travel to the site or elsewhere to secure "the commitment to the safety and security" of Ukraine's power plants from all
parties.Russia also attacked and seized Europe's largest atomic power plant, Zaporizhzhia, last week, drawing accusations of "nuclear
terror" from Kyiv.Zaporizhzhia alone has six reactors of a more modern, safer design than the one that melted down at Chernobyl.The IAEA
said two of those were still operating, the plant's personnel were working in shifts and radiation levels remained stable.On Wednesday,
Russian news agency RIA Novosti published a video of a Russian national guard official in front of the Zaporizhzhia atomic plant saying
Moscow's forces were in full control of the site."Currently, the plant is operating as normal
The management of the site is fulfilling its functions
facility."A large number of armaments and ammunition, including heavy weapons, were discovered in the reactors of the plants," after it was
taken by Russian forces, the official said.
