Chornobyl isn’t safe anymore... again

Summary

In February 2025, a Russian drone strike on the Chernobyl nuclear power plant breached its newly built $2 billion containment structure, jeopardizing global safety. The attack disrupted the critical systems designed to prevent radioactive leakage, threatening not only Ukraine but the entire world. Chernobyl’s history as the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster remains a key part of international concerns, with Russia's ongoing nuclear rhetoric further escalating fears of global conflict. As the war disrupts efforts to manage the site, the question remains: Can Chernobyl be contained, or will another disaster unfold?

Takeaways

• 😀 A Russian drone attack on the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on February 14th caused significant damage to the new protective sarcophagus.
• 😀 The original Chernobyl accident in 1986 released 400 times more radiation than the Hiroshima nuclear bomb, making it the worst nuclear disaster in history.
• 😀 The Chernobyl exclusion zone, a 1,000 square mile area, remains uninhabitable due to radioactive contamination from the 1986 disaster.
• 😀 A new $2 billion sarcophagus, built to contain radioactive waste, was designed to last 100 years but has been severely damaged by the Russian drone strike.
• 😀 The Chernobyl sarcophagus works by maintaining a lower atmospheric pressure inside to prevent radioactive particles from escaping, but the recent attack compromised this system.
• 😀 A fire broke out in the sarcophagus' waterproof insulation following the drone attack, which took weeks to extinguish, causing further damage.
• 😀 The damage to the sarcophagus and the risk of corrosion due to the approaching summer rain and higher temperatures puts Chernobyl's containment at risk.
• 😀 Ukraine is now facing a difficult decision on whether to repair or even move the 36,000-ton sarcophagus, which is perched on unstable ground due to the war.
• 😀 Russia's frequent nuclear threats and attacks on nuclear facilities, including Chernobyl, are part of a strategy to deter Western intervention in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
• 😀 The long-term cleanup of Chernobyl, including the deconstruction of the original Soviet-era shelter, has been delayed due to the ongoing war, but it remains critical to prevent another nuclear disaster.

Q & A

What was the significance of the Russian drone strike on Chernobyl in February 2025?

The Russian drone strike on Chernobyl breached the new safe confinement, a protective shell designed to contain the radioactive material at the site. This damage compromises its ability to keep radioactive dust and particles contained, posing a significant risk of contamination.

How much radiation was released during the 1986 Chernobyl accident?

The explosion at Chernobyl in 1986 released 400 times more radiation than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, with only 5% of the reactor’s contents being scattered into the environment, leaving a 1,000 square mile area uninhabitable to this day.

What is the new safe confinement and how does it work?

The new safe confinement is a massive $2 billion structure built to enclose the Chernobyl reactor and prevent radioactive particles from escaping. It maintains a lower atmospheric pressure inside, which prevents contamination from leaking out by drawing air in rather than letting it escape.

What was the original design and purpose of the sarcophagus built at Chernobyl?

The original sarcophagus was built quickly after the disaster to enclose the reactor and prevent radioactive particles from escaping. However, it was a temporary solution that corroded rapidly and became unstable, requiring external scaffolding to prevent collapse.

What damage was caused by the drone strike to the new safe confinement?

The drone strike caused a hole in the confinement's double walls, disrupted the critical ventilation system, and led to a fire that burned through the insulation. The fire spread for weeks, and emergency crews had to create additional holes to control the fire.

Why is the lower pressure inside the safe confinement important?

The lower pressure inside the confinement is crucial because it ensures that radioactive air is pulled inside rather than leaking outside. This controlled environment prevents the spread of contamination to the surrounding areas.

How did the fire inside the new safe confinement exacerbate the situation?

The fire inside the new safe confinement destroyed the waterproof insulation, which was designed to prevent moisture from corroding the structure. As a result, the fire weakened the structure, and it took three weeks to extinguish, leaving the containment compromised.

What challenges does Ukraine face in repairing the safe confinement?

Ukraine faces multiple challenges in repairing the safe confinement, including the ongoing war, the damaged structure, the approaching rainy season, and rising temperatures. There is also the risk of further strikes that could delay or prevent necessary repairs.

Why is the attack on Chernobyl particularly alarming in the context of global nuclear safety?

The attack on Chernobyl is alarming because it highlights the vulnerability of nuclear sites to military conflict, which could lead to a global nuclear disaster. The radiation from Chernobyl affects not just Ukraine, but potentially the entire world due to its long-lasting environmental impact.

What role does Russia's rhetoric about nuclear weapons play in the context of this attack?

Russia's frequent threats of nuclear escalation and its attacks on nuclear power plants, including Chernobyl, appear to be part of a strategy to deter international intervention and remind the world of its nuclear capabilities. This rhetoric and action increase the risk of nuclear conflict and instability.