On the night of 14th February 2025, at 01:59, as a result of an air attack by the russian federation against Ukraine, a drone, preliminarily identified as a Shahed, directly struck the protective shell of the Arch of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) of the Shelter Object at an elevation of 87 metres.
The impact occurred above the premises housing technological equipment that ensures the remote operation of the Confinement. As a result, both the external and internal cladding of the NSC Arch were damaged, along with equipment from the Main Cranes System.
Additionally, local fire was detected on the external and internal cladding of the NSC Arch. Firefighting units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) and personnel of the Chornobyl NPP promptly arrived at the scene.
The open fire, covering an area of approximately 40 square metres, was extinguished. However, as of 08:40, slight smoke emissions from the external shell of the NSC Arch were still observed. Due to the breach in the cladding, the conditions and limits of safe operation established by the Technological Operation Regulations of the NSC and Shelter Object have been violated.
There were no casualties as a result of the incident. No release of radioactive substances beyond established limits has been recorded. At present, radiation levels at the Chornobyl NPP industrial site and within the Exclusion Zone do not exceed reference levels.
A total of 65 personnel and 17 units of equipment from SES units, as well as 15 Chornobyl NPP personnel, National Guard of Ukraine (NGU), National Police of Ukraine (NPU), and Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) personnel, are engaged at the scene. An operational headquarters has been established at the Chornobyl NPP, led by the Head of the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management, Hryhorii Ishchenko.
The situation is under control.
