February 16, 2025, Chornobyl. The fire that has arisen after the strike of the Russian unmanned aerial vehicle "Shahaned" on the external cladding of a protective sarcophagus at the Chernobyl NPP has not yet been eliminated. Ukrainian rescuers continue to combat fire in difficult weather conditions, and the international community monitors the situation.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), after the drone punched the roof of a sarcophagus, a hole was formed with a diameter of about six meters, and both the internal and external cladding of the arch structure was damaged. However, fortunately, the supporting beams remained intact. It is noted that combustion is probably caused by combustible materials in the roof cladding, which contributed to the release of smoke and smell of burning plastic. Despite significant damage, the level of radiation at the Chernobyl NPP remains within the normal range. The data collected by IAEA experts confirm that the indicators have not changed compared to previous measurements. It is known that additional sensors are planned to monitor the radiation background, but this will only be done after the fire is completely eliminated. In the exclusion zone, where the Chernobyl NPP is located, there are 6 rescuers and 2 special equipment. In parallel, increased control over the level of radiation, in particular, through an automated radiation state control system (ASRS), which monitors the situation in a continuous mode at 39 points. Data on the radiation background come to the dispatching center every hour, and in an emergency situation every minute.
Despite the loss and the constant threat, the radiation situation at the object is controlled and the operational data did not find excess of the standards. Experts note that, despite the stroke on the sarcophagus, the critical part where the old radioactive equipment is stored has not been damaged.
