Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an official statement informing about a Russian drone attack that happened on the shield of the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant. The attack happened late at night on Friday, and no casualties were reported. However, the damage to the shelter is significant. The people in Munich are reportedly really angry about the entire situation. If you wish to know more about the Russian drone attack on the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant, this article is for you. It brings you all the details we have so far about the attack, along with the statements from the authorities.
What We Know So Far About The Russian Drone Attack On Chernobyl Nuclear Plant?
The United Nations Energy Watchdog, officially known as the International Atomic Energy Agency, had personnel at the sight. They reportedly heard an explosion at 1:50 AM on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. The explosion, on further investigations, turned out to be a drone strike on the New Safe Confinement.
This confinement protects reactor 4 of the now-abandoned Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Reactor 4 was the one also responsible for the disaster of 1986. The drone strike caused a fire which was later extinguished. The fire safety personnel, as well as the paramedics, arrived within minutes. Currently, there seems no indication of a breach in the inner containment of the New Safe Confinement.
Why Is The Shelter So Important At Chernobyl Nuclear Plant?
In a severe nuclear catastrophic disaster, reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, a major explosion blew the roof of the reactor off. This resulted in a plume of radioactive material sent into the air triggering public health emergencies across Europe. The giant shield made of concrete and steel was installed to cover the remains of the reactor. The shield was carefully designed to prevent any further radioactive material from leaking into the atmosphere. It measures around 275m (900 ft) wide and 108m (354 ft) tall and cost $1.6bn (£1.3bn) to construct.
In his official statement, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukraine constructed the shield along with the countries of Europe and America. These countries are actually committed to humanity’s real security. On the other hand, Russia is the only country that attacks nuclear power plants without any regard for the consequences. Zelenskyy regarded this as a terrorist threat to the entire world.
Has There Been Any Increase In The Radiation Levels At Chernobyl After The Drone Strike?
According to the official statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency, there is no change in the radiation levels at Chernobyl. The radiation levels, both inside and outside, remain stable even after the drone strike. No casualties are reported either. However, the agency still remains on “high alert” after the incident.
Professor Jim Smith from the UK’s University of Portsmouth has been studying the aftermath of the 1986 nuclear disaster since 1990. He admitted that the drone strike was a horrendous attack on important infrastructure. However, he does not see the drone strike as a concern regarding the radiation levels. A drone strike, according to him, is not strong enough to damage the protective layer of the reactor.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Statement About Russian Military Attacks On Important Ukrainian Infrastructure
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took the opportunity and linked the attack on Chernobyl with the constant Russian military attacks on other important infrastructure. He mentioned how the drone attack makes it clear that Vladimir Putin is not preparing for any negotiations. The newly elected US President Donald Trump, in an announcement this week, said Putin agreed to start talking about ending the war. He also explained how Russia carries out multiple attacks like these on Ukrainian infrastructure and cities. The Ukrainian President is going to meet JD Vance, US Vice President, and Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, later this Friday.
Russian Drone Strike On Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Not The First
It is not the first time Russia has carried out such a drone strike on Ukrainian infrastructure. The strike happened after reports of increased military activity in the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. It is another one of the Ukrainian Nuclear Plants located in Southern Ukraine. In the month of December, drone strikes on vehicles transporting experts of the agency to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant were launched. Both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of the strikes.
The IAEA urged restraint last year when an attack on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant raised alarms for a major nuclear incident. Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for these attacks as well. Professor Jim Smith also mentioned that he’s more worried about Zaporizhzhia than Chernobyl. The reactors at Zaporizhzhia are currently shut down but they still have more live fuel. Chernobyl, when compared to Zaporizhzhya, is not in a hot state because of its age.
