In preparing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) for purposes of transporting it to Zheleznogorsk (Krasnoyarsk region, Siberia, Russia), Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant (LNPP) cut into two parts one of the 40,000 fuel assemblies. Because of a lack of preparation for the difficult and dangerous operation, depressurization of the assembly and contamination of equipment took place.
This made it impossible for continuation of the work without risk of contamination of the environment and personnel.