Russian troops pulling out of Chernobyl, after handing authority back to Ukrainian staff

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on Thursday that Russian troops had formally, and in writing, transferred control of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) back to the Ukrainian personnel who run the facility. This information had been conveyed to the IAEA by Ukraine. Moreover, two columns of Russian troops had left the NPP, which in 1986 had been the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster (at that time, it was known by its Russian name, Chernobyl). Russian forces had occupied the NPP on February 24, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Some Russian troops remained at the NPP, which has not operated since 1986, but they were expected to leave soon. Further, a column of Russian troops had also left the nearby town of Slavutych, where many of the Chornobyl NPP staff lived. All three Russian columns headed towards Belarus.