Extinguishing smoldering hotspots continues: what is the current situation at Chernobyl following the strike from an enemy drone today?

Rescue teams are continuing their efforts to eliminate the consequences of a Russian drone striking the sarcophagus at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant for the 12th day. They are identifying and extinguishing smoldering hotspots.

This information comes from RBK-Ukraine citing the state specialized enterprise "Chernobyl NPP."

As of 16:00 on February 25, work to identify and extinguish smoldering hotspots, including the use of drones, continued on the sarcophagus, along with partial opening of structures.

"No deterioration in the radiation situation at the NPP industrial site and overall at the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone has been recorded. No release of radioactive substances beyond established limits has been detected," the statement said.

Specifically, seven operational lines have been established on the sarcophagus for extinguishing smoldering hotspots. Necessary forces and resources from the State Emergency Service (SES) have been mobilized, including climbing teams. A reserve of SES personnel is on standby.

Drone Attack on Chernobyl

Recall that on the night of Friday, February 14, the Russian army launched another drone strike on Ukrainian territory. The sarcophagus at Chernobyl was targeted, and a drone equipped with an explosive warhead hit it. The drone went undetected by radars due to its low flight altitude of up to 85 meters.

According to the State Agency of Ukraine for Management of the Exclusion Zone, the consequences of the attack could have been catastrophic if the drone had hit just 15 meters away from the impact site.

Earlier reports indicated that fire extinguishing operations at Chernobyl had been suspended. Monitoring of the situation continues with the help of a drone.

However, on February 17, new smoldering hotspots were discovered on the Chernobyl sarcophagus. These were subsequently localized.

Recently, the government allocated over 1.5 billion hryvnias to maintain the damaged shelter at Chernobyl in a safe condition.

For more details on the attack on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and its consequences, see the RBK-Ukraine report.