A Russian drone attack has struck the radiation shelter at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday.
The overnight strike targeted the shelter covering the plant's damaged former fourth reactor, causing a fire that has since been extinguished.
Photo: Reuters
Fortunately, as of Friday morning, radiation levels at the site have remained stable, with no increase in readings reported, Zelensky stated. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also confirmed that fire safety teams responded quickly to the explosion and that no casualties have been reported.
The IAEA, which monitors global nuclear safety, reported that radiation levels both inside and outside the Chernobyl site remained normal. However, the agency has maintained a heightened state of alert, with Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasizing that "there is no room for complacency."
Photo: Reuters
The attack targeted the sarcophagus, a massive concrete and steel structure built to contain radiation from the 1986 disaster, which remains one of the worst nuclear accidents in history. The protective shield, which spans 275 meters in width and 108 meters in height, was designed to last for a century and prevent further radioactive material from leaking into the environment. The shelter's construction has cost $1.6 billion
Zelensky posted images on X, showing visible damage to the protective structure, which had lost its roof in the original explosion. The incident highlights ongoing concerns over the security of Ukraine's nuclear sites amid the ongoing conflict.
Chernobyl remains a critical site due to the radioactive legacy of the 1986 explosion, which sent a toxic cloud across Europe and triggered widespread health and environmental consequences.
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