Home / Disasters and Accidents / Chornobyl Drone Strike Risks New Nuclear Disaster
Chornobyl Drone Strike Risks New Nuclear Disaster
24 Apr
Summary
- A Russian drone strike in February 2025 damaged Chornobyl's protective shield.
- Repairs are urgently needed to prevent corrosion and nuclear safety risks.
- Drone flights near the plant have been detected frequently since June 2024.
A drone strike on February 14, 2025, caused significant damage to the protective shield covering Reactor 4 at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, narrowly avoiding a new catastrophe. The strike punctured the containment structure, prompting urgent repair needs to prevent long-term damage and nuclear safety risks.
Experts estimate the repairs will cost at least 500 million euros and must be completed within the next few years. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is seeking funds for this critical work. Since June 2024, radars have detected numerous Russian drones flying within a 5-km radius of the plant.
While no radioactive leaks have been detected, the facility remains vulnerable, especially its nuclear-fuel storage site. The ongoing war has also complicated access for the 2,250 employees who maintain the plant. The 40th anniversary of the 1986 disaster is being observed amidst these heightened risks.
