Russia-Ukraine War: Chernobyl powerline damaged by Russian forces again after repair

Russia-Ukraine War: Chernobyl powerline damaged by Russian forces again after repair

The power is used to feed pumps and other equipment which keep spent nuclear fuel at the former power plant cool to prevent radiation leaks.

Associated PressUpdated: Monday, March 14, 2022, 06:56 PM IST
article-image
Chernobyl nuclear plant, in Chernobyl, Ukraine | AP

The Ukrainian state power company says the power line supplying the site of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster has been damaged by Russian forces again after it was repaired.

The Ukrenergo company said in a statement Monday that its technicians had started to supply power Sunday evening but "before the power supply was fully restored, the occupying forces damaged it again." Ukrenergo said it will attempt another repair.

The power is used to feed pumps and other equipment which keep spent nuclear fuel at the former power plant cool to prevent radiation leaks.

The Chernobyl site is also equipped with diesel generators, and Belarusian authorities said last week that they had set up an emergency power supply from the nearby border.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has played down concerns over the safety of nuclear waste at Chernobyl, saying that cooling ponds there are large enough to keep the spent fuel in a safe condition even if the power supply is interrupted.

___

London: Activists have occupied a London townhouse linked to the Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, saying the property will be used to support Ukrainian refugees.

The UK government last week froze Deripaska's assets as it expanded sanctions against wealthy Russians and companies to put pressure on President Vladimir Putin's regime to end its invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctions announcement identified Deripaska as a prominent "pro-Kremlin oligarch" who is closely linked to Putin.

Activists on Monday stood on the balcony of 5 Belgrave Square and unfurled Ukrainian flags and a banner proclaiming that the property had been "liberated." Belgrave Square, a garden square dominated by foreign embassies, is the heart of the affluent Belgravia district, which attracts super-rich buyers from around the world.

"By occupying the mansion, we want to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine, but also the people of Russia who never agreed to this madness. As always with wars, empires benefit and common people pay the price.'' The U.K. has been criticised for being slow to impose sanctions on wealthy Russians who have flooded into London over the last 30 years, boosting the city's economy.

The U.S. government sanctioned Deripaska in 2018, saying he helped support Russia's "malign activity" around the world.

The U.S. sanctions documents list 5 Belgrave Square in London as one of Deripaska's addresses ____

Tel Aviv: Israel's foreign minister says the country will not serve as a "route to bypass sanctions" imposed on Russia by the West.

Israel, which has emerged as an unlikely mediator between Ukraine and Russia, has not joined the sanctions imposed by the US, Britain, European Union and others. But as the war in Ukraine drags on, the pressure is increasing.

In remarks sent by his office, Yair Lapid said Israeli authorities were working on ways to ensure Israel doesn't run afoul of the biting sanctions while maintaining its unique role.

Lapid also reiterated his criticism of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has stopped short of condemning Russia.

Lapid made the remarks Monday after meeting his Slovak counterpart Ivan Korcok in the Slovak capital of Bratislava. Lapid's office said they discussed how to help Jewish refugees who are fleeing the war in Ukraine.

____

Berlin: German pharmaceuticals company Bayer AG says it is stopping all non-essential business in Russia and Belarus because of the war in Ukraine, but will continue to provide medicines and agricultural products to the countries.

In a statement Monday, the company said that it stands by the people of Ukraine and that it "utterly (condemns) this brutal aggression against a sovereign country." Bayer said it was suspending all advertising and other promotional activities, halting capital investment projects indefinitely and not pursuing any new business opportunities.

The company said it has "also heard voices calling for a complete stop of delivery of all our products to Russia and Belarus." Bayer said that it feels ethically obliged not to withhold essential health and agriculture products such as cancer drugs or seeds from the civilian population.

The company said supplying farmers with agricultural products could help prevent food supply chains from further disruption due to the war in Ukraine, which is a major producers of grains and oilseed.

____

Lviv: Ukrainian authorities say two people have died and seven were injured after Russian forces struck an aircraft factory, and another person was killed when a residential building was fired upon.

The Antonov aircraft factory is Ukraine's largest and is best known for producing many of the world's largest ever cargo planes.

The Kyiv city government says a large fire broke out after the strike on the factory. One person died and three were injured when the residential building was hit, authorities said.

_____

London: British hospitals have begun treating 21 young Ukrainian cancer patients after Polish authorities asked for help in caring for the growing number of child refugees who need urgent medical care, UK authorities said.

The Ukrainian children arrived in Britain late Sunday and will be treated at six hospitals around the country, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said.

"The vital and in many cases lifesaving cancer treatment will be provided free of charge by the health service across hospitals in England," the Department of Health and Social Care said in a statement.

The children were accompanied by 28 care-givers and family members, all of whom will be able to remain in the U.K. for at least three years while the children are treated, Javid said.

RECENT STORIES

Indian Sufis Urge Saudi Government To Rebuild Tombs Of Prophet Muhammad's Kin, Destroyed Century Ago

Indian Sufis Urge Saudi Government To Rebuild Tombs Of Prophet Muhammad's Kin, Destroyed Century Ago

Lok Sabha Elections: Pawan Khera Accuses BJP of Playing Divisive Politics While Attending A Press...

Lok Sabha Elections: Pawan Khera Accuses BJP of Playing Divisive Politics While Attending A Press...

Asia Rankings 2024: 91 Indian Universities In The Times Higher Education List; Check Top 10 Here

Asia Rankings 2024: 91 Indian Universities In The Times Higher Education List; Check Top 10 Here

'Ensure BJP Wins By Huge Margin': Samajwadi Party's Shivpal Yadav Goofs Up During Election Rally...

'Ensure BJP Wins By Huge Margin': Samajwadi Party's Shivpal Yadav Goofs Up During Election Rally...

Viral VIDEO: Galgotias Or Whatsapp University? College Students TROLLED For Failing To Answer...

Viral VIDEO: Galgotias Or Whatsapp University? College Students TROLLED For Failing To Answer...