Russian forces are firing rockets at a physics institute in the city of Kharkiv that contains nuclear material and a reactor which could lead to a ‘large-scale ecological disaster’ if hit, according to Ukraine’s national security service.
The service said on Facebook on Sunday that the Russians were firing at the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology from Grad launchers. Missiles fired from Grad launchers do not have precise targeting, raising concern that one could damage the reactor and release deadly radiation across Europe.
The science institute houses the Neutron Source nuclear research facility and contains 37 nuclear fuel cells in its core, according to Ukrainian foreign minister Emine Dzheppar. The attack comes two days after Russian forces shelled Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, sparking fears of a nuclear disaster similar to the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
Sharing details on today’s attack, Ukraine’s deputy minister for foreign affairs Emine Dzheppar tweeted: ‘The Russian aggressor fired hail at the Institute’s territory, where the Neutron Source nuclear facility is located, with 37 nuclear fuel cells loaded into its core.
‘Destruction of a nuclear installation and storage facilities for nuclear materials can lead to a large-scale environmental catastrophe.’ Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab told LBC today that UN monitors could be used on the ground to prevent a ‘Chernobyl-style’ incident in Ukraine.
He said he was ‘very confident’ the move was being discussed due to disastrous consequences at stake. Raab added: ‘I think it’s the specific technical issues plus the reassurance that not just Ukraine needs, but Europe and the rest of the world, given the potential global reach of a disaster like that.’
