The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced today (9th) local time that the blackout at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine does not significantly affect safety, Reuters, AFP news agency reported.
The IAEA said, "The heat load in the post-use fuel storage tank of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the amount of coolant can effectively remove heat even without electricity supply," the IAEA said.
However, the IAEA pointed out that the interruption of the power connection was a violation of the principles regarding nuclear safety.
Earlier, the state-run Energoatom, which operates Ukraine's nuclear power plant, said radioactive material could be leaked from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
This was due to the inability to cool the spent nuclear fuel after the power connection to the nuclear power plant was cut, Energoatom explained.
He added that since the Russian military took control of the nuclear power plant, fighting has continued in nearby areas, making it impossible to restore the nuclear power plant at this time.
The Russian military took control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant after fighting with Ukrainian forces on the 24th of last month and detained its employees.
The Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which exploded in 1986, still contains radioactive waste.