A method comprising: performing refueling of a nuclear reactor, the refueling including removing a fuel assembly from a reactor core of the nuclear reactor by a removal method including: connecting a lifting tool of a crane with a top of the fuel assembly, the lifting tool comprising an assembly of downwardly extending elements, the connecting including locking lower ends of the downwardly extending elements with respective mating features located at a top and periphery of the fuel assembly; wherein the locking comprises rotating at least the lower ends of the downwardly extending elements to lock the lower ends disposed over or inside the respective mating features with the respective mating features and wherein the lower ends of the downwardly extending elements and the respective mating features define lockable bayonet couplings. moving the fuel assembly connected with the lifting tool into a spent fuel pool using the crane; and releasing the lifting tool from the top of the fuel assembly, the releasing including unlocking the lower ends of the downwardly extending elements from the respective peripherally located mating features at the top and periphery of the fuel assembly; wherein removing the fuel assembly does not include removing a control rod assembly, CRA, that is inserted in the fuel assembly and wherein the CRA vertically overlaps the lifting tool when the fuel assembly is connected with the lifting tool. performing refueling of a nuclear reactor, the refueling including removing a fuel assembly from a reactor core of the nuclear reactor by a removal method including: connecting a lifting tool of a crane with a top of the fuel assembly, the lifting tool comprising an assembly of downwardly extending elements, the connecting including locking lower ends of the downwardly extending elements with respective mating features located at a top and periphery of the fuel assembly; wherein the locking comprises rotating at least the lower ends of the downwardly extending elements to lock the lower ends disposed over or inside the respective mating features with the respective mating features and wherein the lower ends of the downwardly extending elements and connecting a lifting tool of a crane with a top of the fuel assembly, the lifting tool comprising an assembly of downwardly extending elements, the connecting including locking lower ends of the downwardly extending elements with respective mating features located at a top and periphery of the fuel assembly; wherein the locking comprises rotating at least the lower ends of the downwardly extending elements to lock the lower ends disposed over or inside the respective mating features with the respective mating features and wherein the lower ends of the downwardly extending elements and the respective mating features define lockable bayonet couplings. moving the fuel assembly connected with the lifting tool into a spent fuel pool using the crane; and releasing the lifting tool from the top of the fuel assembly, the releasing including unlocking the lower ends of the downwardly extending elements from the respective peripherally located mating features at the top and periphery of the fuel assembly; moving the fuel assembly connected with the lifting tool into a spent fuel pool using the crane; and releasing the lifting tool from the top of the fuel assembly, the releasing including unlocking the lower ends of the downwardly extending elements from the respective peripherally located mating features at the top and periphery of the fuel assembly; wherein removing the fuel assembly does not include removing a control rod assembly, CRA, that is inserted in the fuel assembly and wherein the CRA vertically overlaps the lifting tool when the fuel assembly is connected with the lifting tool.