Abdelrahman
In a monumental scene, five technicians, secured by harnesses, worked diligently near the peak of a 40-story arched steel structure, battling the last remnants of smoldering insulation left by a recent drone assault. The harsh weather conditions included snowfall and sub-zero temperatures, with the steel surface coated in ice.
The damage inflicted by the drone strike was substantial, encompassing an area of approximately 540 square feet. This breach posed significant risks, particularly threatening the integrity of the protective shell that shields Reactor No. 4 at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant—the site of history’s most catastrophic nuclear disaster.
Ukrainian authorities reported that the strike, which occurred at 1:59 a.m. on Friday, was executed by a Russian drone equipped with a high-explosive ordnance. Nuclear experts have classified this event as one of the most perilous attacks since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago.
Fortunately, radiation levels around Chernobyl remained stable on Friday, and below the damaged arch, the concrete and steel “sarcophagus” containing the reactor and its highly radioactive materials remained intact. No injuries or fatalities were reported from this incident.
Nevertheless, Ukrainian officials condemned the attack as a bold and reckless move, especially as it coincided with a summit of global leaders in Munich, highlighting the potential for disaster in a highly sensitive area.
