Chernobyl radiation shield hit by Russian drone, Ukraine says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported that a Russian drone has struck the radiation shield protecting the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. This incident occurred overnight and resulted in a fire, which has since been extinguished. Zelensky shared a video that appears to show the moment the drone hit a power unit at Chernobyl, the site of the world's most catastrophic nuclear accident. Fortunately, as of Friday morning, the radiation levels both inside and outside of Chernobyl remain normal and stable, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which monitors nuclear safety globally. In response to these claims, Russia has denied any involvement, asserting that its military does not target Ukrainian nuclear facilities and that any allegations of such an attack are unfounded. The IAEA confirmed that fire safety personnel and vehicles responded promptly to the explosion, and no casualties were reported. The agency remains on high alert following this incident, with its director general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, emphasizing that there is no room for complacency. The Chernobyl disaster in 1986 released a significant amount of radioactive material into the atmosphere, leading to a public health emergency across Europe. Zelensky posted footage on social media that appears to show damage to the massive shield, constructed from concrete and steel, which covers the remains of the reactor that lost its roof during the explosion. This shield is designed to prevent any further radioactive material from leaking out over the next century. It is an enormous structure, measuring 275 meters wide and 108 meters tall, and it cost approximately 1. 6 billion dollars to build. Professor Jim Smith from the University of Portsmouth has been studying the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster since 1990. While he described the drone strike as a horrendous attack on a critical structure, he expressed that he is not overly concerned about the radiation risk. He explained that a thick concrete sarcophagus beneath the damaged outer shield contains radioactive particles and dust from the explosion. Simon Evans, who previously led the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, which oversaw the construction of the protective dome in the 2010s, characterized the drone strike as an incredibly reckless attack on a vulnerable nuclear facility. He pointed out that the shield was never designed to withstand an external drone attack. Instead, it is a complex piece of decommissioning equipment built to contain radioactive materials and assist in the safe dismantling of the damaged reactor. The strike seemed to have impacted the maintenance system of a crane that is used to remotely dismantle the reactor, and Evans noted that there appears to be significant damage to both the outer and inner cladding of the shield. However, a more thorough assessment of the damage will be necessary before the bank can determine the costs involved. Evans remarked that the mission to construct the shelter was the largest collaboration in the world focused on nuclear safety, with over 40 countries coming together to find a long-term solution for the destroyed reactor. He expressed concern that international cooperation has been undermined by reckless actions since the onset of the war. Zelensky asserted that the attack demonstrates that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not preparing for negotiations, especially following a surprise announcement from U. S. President Donald Trump this week. Zelensky shared images of the aftermath of the drone strike, including what appeared to be parts of the drone and the firefighting efforts inside the shelter. The incident at Chernobyl follows increased military activity around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine, as reported by the IAEA. In December, both Ukraine and Russia accused each other of attacking a convoy of vehicles transporting IAEA experts to the Zaporizhzhia plant, which is the largest nuclear station in Europe. IAEA head Rafael Grossi condemned that attack on his staff as unacceptable, stressing that the agency is working to prevent a nuclear accident during the ongoing military conflict. Last year, the agency urged restraint when there was an attack on Zaporizhzhia. Professor Smith expressed greater concern for Zaporizhzhia than for Chernobyl, noting that while the reactors at Zaporizhzhia are currently shut down, there is still more live fuel present. Chernobyl, while still very radioactive, is not in a 'hot state' due to its age. The official death toll from the Chernobyl disaster is recognized as 31, but the UN estimates that 50 deaths can be directly attributed to the disaster. In 2005, the UN predicted that an additional 4,000 people might eventually die as a result of radiation exposure.