US Department of Energy has issued a warning to Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear power agency, to not entry delicate nuclear expertise at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

The warning was issued in a letter dated March 17, reviewed by CNN, and comes amid fears of a nuclear accident resulting from Russian management of the plant. The plant is the biggest nuclear energy station in Europe and is situated in part of the Zaporizhzhia area occupied by Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The Energy Department’s director of the Office of Nonproliferation Policy, Andrea Ferkile, wrote within the letter that the nuclear energy plant in Enerhodar “incorporates US-origin nuclear technical knowledge that’s export-controlled by the United States Government.”

The letter warned that it is “unlawful” for any Russian residents or entities, together with Rosatom and its subsidiaries, to deal with the US expertise with out turning into licensed recipients by the Secretary of the US Department of Energy.

The US export controls cowl items, software program, and expertise that may very well be utilized in a manner that undermines US nationwide safety pursuits.

Rosatom manages the Zaporizhzhia plant whereas Ukrainian employees operates it. Although it isn’t clear whether or not Rosatom has responded to the letter, the Energy Department has emphasised that it’s genuine. CNN reached out to Rosatom for remark, however the agency has but to supply a press release.

The Energy Department has beforehand said on its web site that it supported the Zaporizhzhia plant’s implementation of latest upkeep procedures and operations that will in the end strengthen power safety in Ukraine.

However, the Energy Department’s warning comes at a time when there’s rising concern concerning the safety of the nuclear energy plant.

The plant has been disconnected from Ukraine’s energy grid a number of instances resulting from intense shelling within the space. This has raised fears throughout Europe of a nuclear accident, significantly if the Russian occupation continues and if the US-origin nuclear technical knowledge is accessed.

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