President Alexander Lukashenko told International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi that Belarus would not "in our worst nightmare" seize Chernobyl and then be answerable for it.

Members of Ukraine's parliament have backed a law approving the framework agreement between Ukraine and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for funding aimed at projects to boost safety measures at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant site and exclusion zone.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant have signed Grant Agreement No.2 designed to help "solve the most urgent and critical needs" at the site.

An extension has been agreed for the dismantling of the parts of the original shelter facility most at risk of collapse. The structure was built in 206 days following the 1986 accident at Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear power plant. 

The Clean Futures Fund's Dogs of Chernobyl project says that its sterilisation and vaccination campaign helped lead to no puppies being born at the site in the seven months to June.

The international community is to provide up to EUR1.1 million (USD1.1 million) for the procurement of essential fire safety equipment at the Chernobyl exclusion zone in Ukraine. The Russian military occupation of the area led to the destruction or looting of specialised firefighting and forestry equipment.

The international project to control the numbers and health of stray dogs at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant site has seen vets spay/neuter and vaccinate 130 dogs in a week-long campaign.

Radioactive waste processing and disposal activities have resumed for the first time at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant site in Ukraine since the Russian military occupation of the area earlier this year. The first batch of waste from the plant for disposal was transferred on 21 August.

The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine decision resumes most of the plant's radioactive waste management licences, which were suspended in May following the Russian military occupation of the area.

The International Atomic Energy Agency last week concluded a mission to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine and the surrounding Exclusion Zone after carrying out planned nuclear safety, security and safeguards activities there. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said he is trying to organise a mission to the Zaporizhzhia plant, which remains under the control of Russian military forces.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has asked for international donors to help repair the damage left after Russian forces' control of the Chernobyl area earlier this year.

The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine said the decision to suspend some licences was taken after considering the impact of the damage in the exclusion zone resulting from the Russian military occupation of the area.