Tschernobyl under fire: Serious attack threatens nuclear security!

Tschernobyl under fire: Serious attack threatens nuclear security!

A severe attack on the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has raised the alarm and triggered massive concerns about nuclear security in Ukraine. On February 14, the protective cover of the nuclear power plant was hit by a Russian drone that exploded and the roof hit it. This led to important fires, which were only officially reported on March 7, while the fire brigade continues to remain on an increased willingness to alert. According to a report by Kosmo , this incident shows how unsafe the situation around Chernobyl and the nuclear power plant Saporischschja is.

serious damage caused by the attack

The consequences of the attack are serious: the protective cover, also known as the "New Safe Confinement" (NSC), suffered considerable damage; 50 percent of the north and south roof and the side walls were affected. Artem Siriy, a senior engineer of the project, fears that the penetration of snow and rain could further endanger the structures. This could cause corrosion and impair the functionality of the protective cover, which would result in the need for costly repairs, reported OTS

Jan Vande Putte, nuclear expert at Greenpeace Ukraine, described the attack as possibly one of the most serious war crimes against Ukraine and expressed concern about the future security of the project. A clear path to remedy the damage has so far been unclear, which is why the protective cover may have to be brought back to the original building location. These repairs could be extremely expensive, with the total costs of the NSC project now over two billion euros. The incident in Chernobyl illustrates the urgent risks that consist of military activities in the region and shows how close the risk of radioactivity release that could have followed beyond Ukraine.