Russians forcing Chernobyl, Zaporizhzhia nuclear staff to work on 1 meal and 2 hours sleep

'They are running out of food and are down to one meal of porridge a day. They are fed once every 24 hours'

UPDATED MAR 7, 2022

A view of the town of Pripyat and the Chernobyl Fourth Reactor (Photo by Yuri Kozyrev/Newsmakers)

Horrifying stories of ill-treatment and abuse are surfacing from Chernobyl, as Russian forces in charge are believed to be subjecting hostages to live under extreme conditions. Russia took workers at the Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia nuclear plants as hostages, and are now making them overwork in unsafe environments with limited food supply. After Russian troops took over both the nuclear power plants in Ukraine, they captured the working staff there, who have now been tasked with preventing a nuclear meltdown.

According to reports by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Russians have also blocked vital communication channels at both locations. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi noted, "I'm extremely concerned about these developments. In order to be able to operate safely and securely, management and staff must be allowed to carry out their vital duties in stable conditions without undue external interference or pressure." He also noted that the Chernobyl staff are facing tremendous "physiological pressure and moral exhaustion."

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Meanwhile, insider reports suggest that the staff at Chernobyl are "starving, exhausted and depressed" while they are forced to continue working round the clock. Insider sources told Daily Mail that the workers held hostage at Chernobyl are being provided with only one meal of porridge a day, and are allowed to sleep for barely two hours.

A general view of the sarcophagus that covers the Ukraine''s Chernobyl nuclear power plant's fourth reactor November 16, 2000 destroyed as a result of the April 26, 1986 explosion. (Photo by Yuri Kozyrev/Newsmakers)

As Russia's Chernobyl invasion enters its 12th day, the staff at the plant are facing an inhumane ordeal. More than 500 workers were earlier associated with the non-functional nuclear plant to prevent any further nuclear disasters. As the Russians seized Chernobyl, only 100 workers remained who have now been kept as hostages. They are working continuously while barely getting two hours of sleep on their desks, that too without a blanket or a bed.

"They are facing a very difficult situation and are starving, exhausted and depressed," an insider source shared with DailyMail, adding, "With nowhere to sleep and no blankets, many are only sleeping for two to four hours on desks or wherever they can find a space. They are running out of food and are down to one meal of porridge a day. They are fed once every 24 hours, if there is enough they might get extra bread."

In addition, the staff is only able to communicate with the outside world and their own families via emails as Russian forces have cut off other communication channels.

The hostages are raiding and looting their colleagues' lockers in a desperate bid to find extra food, medicine, or hygiene products. "People are exhausted, both mentally and emotionally, but mainly physically. The main thing we want to convey is that it is very dangerous," said local leader Yuri Fomichev. Many fear that the hostages' exhaustion might lead to another nuclear disaster as Chernobyl which is packed with huge amounts of nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.