A radiation accident could have occurred. What are the known consequences of Russia's attack on Chernobyl?

A radiation accident could have occurred due to a drone attack on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. For that to happen, the drone would have needed to hit about 15 meters off course.

This was reported by RBK-Ukraine, citing comments from the head of the State Agency for the Management of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Grigory Ishchenko, during a briefing.

"The consequences could have been catastrophic. If the drone had hit 15 meters off course, above the old shelter, there would have been a radiation accident," he stated.

According to Ishchenko, the situation is currently under control, and efforts are being made to extinguish the fire.

"We are fully monitoring the situation both under the arch near the shelter and around it. Our units are completely in charge of radiation safety. A headquarters was established at 4 AM and is currently operational, with a plan of action developed, and all services are involved in this process," he explained.

Ishchenko reiterated that there have been no casualties due to the attack by the Russian drone, nor is there any radiation leak.

Russia's Attack on Chernobyl

On February 14, Russia attacked the shelter of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) with a strike drone. The unmanned aerial vehicle was armed with an explosive warhead.

Almost immediately, the Ministry of Energy noted that the consequences of breaching the sarcophagus of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant would depend on the force of the impact and explosion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the Russian drone that attacked the sarcophagus at the Chernobyl NPP was flying at an altitude of 85 meters. It was not detected by radar.

Later, the SBU revealed the wreckage of the drone that attacked ChNPP on February 14. The occupiers targeted the station with a "Shahed" type drone.