Experts did not find a radiation leak during the inspection.
IAEA experts on safeguards and nuclear safety from 8 to November 10, they conducted a joint inspection of the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology, where the research nuclear subcritical installation “Neutron Source” is located, and found significant damage there caused by the shelling of the Russian occupiers. Although there are no signs of radiation leakage or damage to nuclear material. This was reported by General Director Rafael Grossi, writes the press service of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
As noted, the mission of the organization visited this facility for the first time since the beginning of the full-scale war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine to assess the extent of the destruction of the Khfti and the impact of the strikes on the physical protection system. The representatives also visited the radioactive waste repository of the Kyiv branch of the Radon association in the regional center of Kharkiv Oblast, which remains intact. to see this object with my own eyes and inform the world about the difficult situation there,” said Grossi.
He emphasized that the extent of damage to the institute was “dramatic and shocking”, despite the normal level of radiation background. According to the general director, the IAEA did not expect that the damage would be so serious. In particular, almost all buildings were damaged by enemy shelling, and many of them are likely to be beyond repair.
“The very scale and intensity of the constant targeting of the Khfti violates all seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety and security, which I outlined at the beginning of the conflict,” added the head of the organization.
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According to the agency, the institute, where the “Neutron Source” facility is located, which is used for research, development and production of radioisotopes for medical and industrial purposes, was shelled, in particular, on March 6 and June 25< /strong>. But the Deputy General Director of the Khfti told experts that only in the first three weeks of the war, the Russian Federation shelled the area about a hundred times and hit it with missiles, leaving the location without electricity and water supply for more than a month.
Representatives of the mission found out that that in many objects and buildings of Khfti there is still no electricity and heating, and the windows remain broken. The staff of the institution is still working on restoration.
On February 24, the mentioned institution was transferred to a deep subcritical state. The IAEA did not detect radiation leaks at the site, despite damage to its infrastructure, cooling system, and diesel generator building.
In addition, as part of the mission, the agency checked the inventory of nuclear material at the research and development facility of the fuel production institute. According to experts, there have been no changes at the site since last year.
Also, IAEA representatives did not find any changes in the design of the Neutron Source reactor. His building was badly damaged on the outside, but not on the inside. At the same time, they were unable to gain access to the nuclear material due to the lack of power, so the organization plans to conduct an additional inspection after the power supply is restored.
No signs of undeclared nuclear material or activity were recorded on the territory of the KhPTI. There are also no sources of radiation there.
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It was previously reported that that the International Atomic Energy Agency conducted an investigation in three locations where, according to Russia, “Ukrainians may be preparing a dirty bomb.” Nowhere no signs of the alleged creation of a “dirty bomb” were found.
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