Russia bombs Kharkiv Nuclear Research Institute in Ukraine... "No radiation leakage"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] It has been reported that Russian forces bombed the nuclear research institute in Kharkiv (Kharkov), Ukraine's second-largest city. Fortunately, there has been no change in radiation levels, but concerns over large-scale casualties are growing as Russian forces continue indiscriminate attacks on nuclear facilities.

According to the Associated Press on the 10th (local time), Anton Herashchenko, advisor to Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, stated on his Twitter that "a building in Kharkiv equipped with equipment that could leak radiation was bombed, and multiple surrounding buildings caught fire," adding, "Fortunately, the fire department extinguished the fire, and there has been no change in radiation levels."

The site bombed that day was the 'Institute of Physics and Technology' in Kharkiv, which leads nuclear research in Ukraine. It is known that the institute houses an experimental nuclear reactor. The institute also experienced a fire caused by Russian bombing last weekend.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also expressed concern over the fire news. In a statement, the IAEA said, "We have received reports that the inventory of radioactive materials in the experimental reactor located on the institute's premises is very low and remains stable," adding, "The risk of radiation leakage is not significant." However, it pointed out concerns about large-scale leakage damage due to Russia's indiscriminate bombing.

Meanwhile, as the conflict enters its 15th day and concerns about a prolonged war grow, Russian forces are indiscriminately attacking and occupying nuclear power facilities with the aim of cutting off power supply to major Ukrainian cities. Shortly after the outbreak, they seized the Chernobyl nuclear power plant near the Belarus border and also occupied the nuclear power plants in Zaporizhzhia, the largest nuclear power zone in southeastern Ukraine. Nuclear power accounts for more than 55% of Ukraine's major electricity production.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.