All Chornobyl NPP facilities located in the exclusion zone continue to be under control of the aggressor’s military troops.

For the twelfth day in a row, the Chornobyl NPP staff have been courageously and heroically performing their duties without shift to ensure the safe operation of these facilities.

The automated radiation monitoring system of the exclusion zone has not been restored yet. Regulatory control over nuclear and radiation safety at the Chornobyl site and in the exclusion zone is currently impossible.

Stationary and cellular telephone communication with the Chornobyl NPP staff who are currently working at the NPP site has not been restored.

According to information from the Chornobyl NPP staff received through available communication channels, the safety parameters at the Chornobyl NPP facilities are normal for the time being.

The operation of individual sensors for monitoring of neutron flux, gamma radiation dose rate, and radioactive contamination has not been restored. The inoperability of this instrumentation makes it difficult to fully control the criticality and a number of radiological parameters in one of the Shelter rooms. Since there is a lack of sufficient maintenance personnel and special equipment because of the occupation, the damaged equipment of systems important to nuclear and radiation safety cannot be repaired.

Available information on safety parameters indicates that there is a trend toward steady deterioration of numerous indicators, in particular, the concentration of long-lived radionuclides in the atmosphere. The occupier continues to grossly violate the requirements of radiation safety and strict access control procedures at the Chornobyl NPP and in the exclusion zone, which worsens the radiological situation at the Chornobyl NPP and in the exclusion zone and contributes to the spread of radioactive contamination beyond the exclusion zone.

Yesterday, on 6 March 2022, the occupier resorted to another act of Russian propaganda to show itself as a “messenger of peace”. In particular, the enemy brought humanitarian aid (food, cigarettes, etc.) to the Chornobyl NPP territory. The action had nothing to do with help to the Chornobyl NPP staff, who have been held hostage by the Russian troops for almost two weeks and was aimed only at creating a picture for the media. After the categorical and public refusal of the Chornobyl NPP staff to receive “help” from the occupier, the enemy resorted to tricks such as disguising its troops in the NOVARKA uniforms they found at air locks to show how gladly and gratefully the help was accepted for the Russian media.

For reference: NOVARKA concern was established to build the new safe confinement over Chornobyl NPP Unit 4 destroyed in the April 1986 accident. All NOVARKA personnel left the exclusion zone after the NSC was commissioned and the NSC warranty service period expired in September 2020.