Ukraine deploys drones, thermal imagers as Chornobyl cleanup enters day 6 after Russian attack

This is reported by the press service of Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES).

SES climbers continue working to partially dismantle the shelter’s damaged structures and eliminate smoldering areas. To constantly monitor the situation and detect potential new fire sources, drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras are being used.

According to emergency responders, the radiation levels at the Chornobyl NPP industrial site remain within normal limits.

“There is no threat to the population. The situation is under control,” the SES stated.

Russian drone strike on Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant power unit

A Russian UAV with a high-explosive warhead struck the shelter of the 4th power unit of the Chornobyl NPP during the night of February 14, causing significant damage.

The following day, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, met with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to discuss the incident at Chornobyl. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy urged the IAEA to intensify efforts to prevent attacks on nuclear facilities.

On February 16, representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspected the Chornobyl NPP shelter. During their assessment, the IAEA team recorded that the drone strike had damaged both the external and internal layers of the shelter’s arch. A hole approximately 6 meters in diameter had formed, and some equipment and electrical cables were also damaged. However, the support beams did not sustain significant damage.

Repairs to the shelter are expected to begin once the fire is fully extinguished. Meanwhile, IAEA representatives confirmed Ukrainian authorities’ reports that radiation levels at the site remain unchanged.

On February 17, three smoldering spots in the roof insulation of the Chornobyl NPP shelter were discovered, and efforts to extinguish them are ongoing.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has allocated over 1.5 billion UAH to maintain the Chornobyl NPP shelter in a safe condition.