The widespread international condemnation of the invasion, which began last week, has already affected a number of scientific projects, including work on the International Space Station ISS and plans to launch a rover in March in collaboration with European space agencies.
We, Russian researchers and research journalists, strongly protest against the military invasion of Ukraine that has been initiated by Russian forces, the letter states.
Also read: Russian soldiers set fire to Ukrainian nuclear power plant
More than 6,900 have signed, and all risk fines or time in prison, as Russian authorities in recent years have introduced laws that make it easier to crack down on opposition votes in the country.
– We’re convinced
This week, the National Assembly began to consider a bill that would punish people more severely for criticizing the war in Ukraine.
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The letter refers to Russia as the “attacking party, and thus a thug state”. Becoming a great nation of science is impossible in the current situation “where our closest colleagues – mathematicians in Ukraine… are in danger because of the Russian defense”, it is further stated.
– We are convinced that no geopolitical interests can justify this death and bloodshed. War will only lead to a complete loss of our country, the letter states.
Asks NATO to intervene
On Friday night, a fire broke out at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in the Ukrainian city of Enerhodar following attacks by Russian forces. A fire broke out in one of the buildings and there was a long fear that it was connected to one of the six nuclear reactors at the power plant, which is Europe’s largest.
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It was not until almost two hours after the first fire reports became known that it became clear that there was no danger of radioactive discharges. A couple of hours later, the emergency services stated that the fire had been extinguished and that no one was injured.
Ukraine’s Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko is asking NATO to intervene after Russian forces fired grenades at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.
That is why we demand not only a professional assessment of what is happening, but a real intervention with the toughest measures, also by NATO and the countries that have nuclear weapons, Halushchenko wrote on Facebook on Friday morning.
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Zaporizhia is Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, and the energy minister claims that the power plant is being attacked both from tanks on the ground and from the air.
It is not possible to confirm the information.
The minister says he has already spoken with US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and asked that the airspace over Ukraine be closed.
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