According to authorities, the plant has no negative effect on the nearby environment – in the past years the radiation background in the area has not changed and is stably within norm.

[5][6][7] All the units are equipped with emergency response systems, which can prevent release of radioactive material into the environment even in case of serious accident; for example breakage of pipes in the reactor cooling circuit.

Smolensk NPP has special systems that will be able to remove heat from the reactor even in case of the plant’s complete loss of electrical power.

The environment radiation control sub-system conducts round-the-clock monitoring of a 30-km zone around the station, with the help of sensors installed all over the area which can detect abnormal radioactivity levels in, water, soil, plants and agricultural produce consumed by the local population.

[5][9] As the older RBMK units begin to be removed from service due to age, they are being replaced by modern VVER type reactors.