According to the coverage of CNBC, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) pointed out from a Ukrainian source on March 31st that the Russian army who took over the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant back in February is now gradually handing control back to Ukraine.
As pointed out by the coverage, Ukraine has notified the IAEA that multiple Russian military vehicles in the particular region have returned to the border between Northern Ukraine and Belarus (ally of Russia), and the IAEA, from a recent press release, has also pointed out that the Russian army who has been occupying the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant since February 24th had returned the control of the power plant to Ukrainian personnel in writing. However, the IAEA is currently unable to obtain the relevant reports on Russian army’s exposure of high dose radiation within the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the past.
As emphases by the coverage, the IAEA commented that the Russian army dispatched two fleets to Belarus, while the third fleet was ordered to departure from the nearby city of the power plant, which initially served as the habitat for power plant staffs. In addition, Ukraine pointed out from a report that there are still fractions of the Russian army at the site of the power plant, though they are also expected to departure soon.
The intel received by US intelligence also corroborates with Ukraine’s statement. According to the Pentagon, segments of the Russian army are seen leaving the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and current information indicates that the army is heading north back to the territory of Belarus. However, nothing is certain as of now.
(Cover photo source: Mond, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
