Russian troops have illegally seized a state-of-the-art 6 million euro laboratory located at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, reported by the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management.
"Russian occupants looted and destroyed the newest Central Analytical Laboratory in Chernobyl, a unique complex with powerful analytical capabilities; it can provide services at any stage of radwaste management, from air conditioning to disposal, as well as for research and technology development," mentioned in the post.
According to the Agency, in 2015, the EU Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC) and the Ukrainian partner of the Agency have successfully implemented the [laboratory] project. It aimed at improving the infrastructure for radioactive waste management. It had about 100 units of state-of-the-art costly analytical equipment, with no analogs in Europe.
The laboratory performed strategic, unique functions, namely:
characterization of samples of radioactive waste from the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone by physical, chemical and radiation indicators;
analytical assistance in verifying the compliance of conditioned waste packaging with specifications;
development of necessary methods for control and standardization.
provision of analytical services for state examination of nuclear and radiation safety and control over compliance with licensing conditions in carrying out activities in the field of radwaste management;
advisory support to the state on the implementation of the Concept of Exclusion Zone Development (reburial of radwaste, selection of a site for the creation of a radwaste burial ground, monitoring of the exclusion zone, etc.);
expert-analytical and methodological support of the radwaste management cycle (objects of the exclusion zone, NNEGC Energoatom, etc.).
The laboratory housed highly active samples and samples of radionuclides, which are now in the hands of the enemy.