MOSCOW: One of President Vladimir Putin’s most powerful aides in Kremlin visited Russian-controlled region Zaporizhia nuclear plant in a part of southern Ukraine that Russia says it has annexed, a Moscow-based official said in the region.
Sergei Kiriyenko, a Kremlin official overseeing Russia’s domestic policy and former head of the country’s state nuclear company, discussed the safety of the plant, according to Vladimir Rogova local official based in Russia.
“Sergei Kiriyenko visited the nuclear power plant – he checked the safety of the facility and the working conditions of Rosatom employees,” Rogov said on Telegram.
In a photo posted by RogovKiriyenko was shown outside the plant, which is just 500 km (300 miles) from the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident, the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
Shortly after invading Ukraine on February 24, Russian forces took control of the plant in early March. The facility remains near the front lines and has come under repeated fire in recent months, with Kyiv and Moscow responsible for the bombings.
Special Russian military units guard the facility and Russian nuclear specialists are on site. Ukrainian personnel continue to help run the plant.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has six Soviet-designed water-cooled and water-moderated VVER-1000 V-320 reactors containing uranium-235, which has a half-life of more than 700 million years .
IAEA Director General Raphael Grossi proposed the creation of a nuclear safety and security zone around the plant.
Sergei Kiriyenko, a Kremlin official overseeing Russia’s domestic policy and former head of the country’s state nuclear company, discussed the safety of the plant, according to Vladimir Rogova local official based in Russia.
“Sergei Kiriyenko visited the nuclear power plant – he checked the safety of the facility and the working conditions of Rosatom employees,” Rogov said on Telegram.
In a photo posted by RogovKiriyenko was shown outside the plant, which is just 500 km (300 miles) from the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident, the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
Shortly after invading Ukraine on February 24, Russian forces took control of the plant in early March. The facility remains near the front lines and has come under repeated fire in recent months, with Kyiv and Moscow responsible for the bombings.
Special Russian military units guard the facility and Russian nuclear specialists are on site. Ukrainian personnel continue to help run the plant.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has six Soviet-designed water-cooled and water-moderated VVER-1000 V-320 reactors containing uranium-235, which has a half-life of more than 700 million years .
IAEA Director General Raphael Grossi proposed the creation of a nuclear safety and security zone around the plant.
