As ceremonies are held in Ukraine to mark the start of work on a new Russian-built nuclear fuel plant, the countries' fuel cycle collaboration could be set to increase still further with hints of a possible conversion and enrichment joint venture.

Ukraine's nuclear energy operator EnergoAtom has confirmed that the Khmelnitsky nuclear power plant is operating normally and has branded the publication of falsified reports and images of the plant a deliberate act to undermine the country's energy security.

Russian-supplied fuel for Ukraine's nuclear power plants is to use uranium enriched at the International Uranium Enrichment Centre (IUEC) in Siberia, in which Ukraine holds a 10% stake. Armenia has also agreed to take a similar stake in the enrichment facility.

Work to assemble the giant arched structure that will protect the ruined Chernobyl unit 4 and enable its dismantling has officially begun on the 26th anniversary of the accident.

Ukraine is making plans to rebuild civil society in the areas affected by the Chernobyl accident, as the man responsible for the Exclusion Zone announces most of the affected towns could be resettled.

The first batch of steel has arrived at Chernobyl for the giant arch that will protect the ruined power plant and enable its dismantling. Assembly of the arch is set to begin next month.