On June 6, 2016, unloading of spent nuclear fuel from reactor No1 of Chornobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) was completed; as well as earlier from reactors No. 2 and No. 3, Ecology and Natural Resources Minister of Ukraine Ostap Semerak has stated.

"Work on unloading spent nuclear fuel lasted for nine years. Before the completion of Spent Fuel Storage Facility 2 that is financed using international technical assistance, the fuel will be temporarily stored in Spent Fuel Storage Facility 1," the Minister informed.

Ostap Semerak emphasized that the new status of Chornobyl NPP reactors would allow starting the new phase – reactor decommissioning.

"Today is the next important step of transforming the exclusion zone to the territory of changes and development. After removing spent nuclear fuel from Chornobyl NPP reactors, the ecological level in the exclusion zone would grow," the Minister noted.

Ostap Semerak has also reminded that the Ministry is working on a new Chornobyl zone development program.

The status of reactors No1 and No2 after unloading of spent nuclear fuel will be changed.

"These reactors would not be considered reactors anymore. After approving relevant documents the reactors would be facilities for treating radioactive waste," the Minister pointed out.

Spent Fuel Storage Facility 1 will still have the status of reactor. The facility stores spent nuclear fuel from three reactors of Chornobyl NPP.