The first fuel rod array with fresh nuclear fuel was inserted into the reactor core of the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant on 22 December. The step began an important stage of the project – physical launch. The key task of the stage is to confirm the safe and reliable operation of the second unit within design parameters. A total of 163 fuel rod arrays will be put inside the reactor. Each consists of 312 fuel pins 9mm in diameter and about 4m long.