Russia, which launched an invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, took control of the Chernobyl power plant, site of the worst nuclear accident in history in 1986, announced the Ukrainian presidency.
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“After fierce fighting, we lost control of the Chernobyl site,”
said Mikhaïlo Podoliak, an adviser to the presidency.
Kiev had earlier reported clashes near the site's nuclear waste repository.
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After the loss of control of this highly contaminated area, "
the state of the installations"
of the power station, of the tight screed isolating its damaged reactor and of a deposit for nuclear fuel "
is unknown
" and
"it is impossible to say if the plant is safe
, ”added the official.
“
It is one of the most serious threats for Europe
”
“
It is one of the most serious threats for Europe
,” he added, estimating that the Russians could organize “
provocations
” on this site in order to blame Ukraine for it.
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The worst nuclear accident in history took place on April 26, 1986 in Ukraine, then one of the fifteen Soviet republics, when a reactor of this plant, located about a hundred kilometers from Kiev, exploded, contaminating up to three- quarters of Europe, especially Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.
Nearly 350,000 people had to be evacuated from a perimeter of 30 kilometers around the plant.
The human toll remains controversial.
In recent years, the Chernobyl site has become an important destination for tourists.
