Ukraine hoists national flag above Chernobyl nuclear plant after Russian troops' departure

Following departure of Russian troops, Ukrainian flag has been hoisted above Cherbyl nuclear power facility, state corporation which is in charge of nuclear power plants stated on Saturday. Amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Energoatom, a nuclear power company in Ukraine, anunced in a statement on Telegram, “Today, April 2, at 11:00, Ukrainian flag was raised over Cherbyl NPP and anm was sung,” CNN reported.  

statement re, " entire staff of Cherbyl nuclear power plant, which has worked heroically in harsh conditions of occupation since February 24 and provided nuclear and riation safety at station and nearby facilities, was present at ceremony." 

This declaration came after a senior United States defence official claimed on March 30 that some Russian troops h left Cherbyl nuclear plant site, CNN reported. Cherbyl, which lies around 60 miles rthwest of Kyiv, witnessed world's worst nuclear disaster. 

Russian troops seized  Cherbyl nuclear plant on February 24

According to media reports, Russian soldiers h seized plant which still holds rioactive waste on February 24, first day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Furrmore, this withdrawal happened a day after Russia asserted that country would reduce activities in two Ukrainian cities, according to Newsweek. 

A US source stated that Cherbyl is place where Russia is repositioning some of its troops, "leaving, walking away from Cherbyl facility and moving into Belarus", Kyiv Independent reported.

In dition to this, Rafael Maria Grossi, Director-General of International Atomic Energy ncy (IAEA), anunced on Friday that he will le an assistance and support operation in Cherbyl nuclear power plant "as soon as possible" in upcoming days to ensure plant's safety.

Grossi h arrived in Vienna on Friday after a three-day trip to Ukraine and Russia, as per Wall Street Journal. Furr, IAEA chief has visited officials from both nations to review security of Ukraine's nuclear plants. 

This emerged after IAEA said on Thursday that Ukraine h informed ncy that Russian personnel who were in command of Cherbyl nuclear plant were leaving and passing control to Ukrainian forces. Grossi also indicated at a press conference on Friday that he h t spoken with Russian officials about why Russian workers have been leaving Cherbyl. According to Grossi, IAEA has yet to verify allegations that Russian servicemen were exposed to riation at Cherbyl nuclear power plant. 

(Im: AP)