A Russian drone attack has struck the radiation shield covering the destroyed Chernobyl nuclear reactor, sparking fresh concerns over the security of the infamous site, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
Fire at the Reactor Shelter
According to Zelensky, the overnight strike hit the protective structure over Reactor 4, the core of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, causing a fire that was later extinguished. Fortunately, as of Friday morning, radiation levels at the plant remained stable.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that emergency crews responded within minutes of the explosion, and no casualties were reported. Despite no immediate danger, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi warned that the agency remains on “high alert,” stressing that “there is no room for complacency.”
Chernobyl’s Shield: A Critical Defence
The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, still heavily contaminated decades after the world’s worst nuclear disaster, is shielded by a massive concrete and steel structure designed to contain radiation for the next century.
- The protective sarcophagus, measuring 275m (900ft) wide and 108m (354ft) tall, was built at a cost of $1.6bn (£1.3bn) to prevent further radioactive leaks.
- Footage posted by Zelensky on X (formerly Twitter) appears to show visible damage to the structure following the attack.
Rising Concerns Over Nuclear Safety
This is not the first time Russia’s invasion has threatened nuclear facilities in Ukraine. Both Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, have been flashpoints in the war, raising fears of a potential radiation disaster.
The IAEA has repeatedly warned about the risks posed by military activity around Ukraine’s nuclear sites, with Grossi urging all sides to prioritise safety. While radiation levels at Chernobyl remain unchanged for now, the attack underscores the ongoing danger of warfare near critical nuclear infrastructure.
