The most qualified high-altitude rescuers are engaged in the mitigation of the consequences of the strike on the Chernobyl NPP
This was stated by Andrii Danyk, the Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, during a briefing near the damaged plant’s sarcophagus.
On February 14, 2025, on the day of the russian attack on the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, almost 100 representatives of Ukrainian and foreign media visited the exclusion zone. The journalists were able to see parts of the russian drone that hit the sarcophagus of the plant’s 4th power unit and talk to rescuers.
The head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine noted that rescuers began extinguishing the sarcophagus fire at night, immediately after the russian strike.
“At the first stage, we had deployed fire and rescue units. Now we are heavily engaging our rescue units, our most qualified high-altitude rescuers,” stated Andrii Danyk.
The work of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine is hampered by sub-zero temperatures, snow and icing on the construction - to dismantle the damaged parts of the sarcophagus and prevent the insulation from smoldering, rescuers are working directly outside the protective structure – at a height of over 100 metres.
The Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Centre of the State Emergency Service is continuously monitoring the air conditions. According to the latest data, as of 15:00 on February 15, 2025, the radiation background at the industrial site near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant does not exceed the permissible levels.
The shelling of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant took place on the night of February 14, 2025. After the UAV hit the protection structure, a fire broke out as the UAV’s engine pierced the sarcophagus.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, stated during a conversation with media representatives on the margins of the Munich Security Conference that the russian UAV was flying at a low altitude.
“The UAV was flying at an altitude of 85 metres. It is important to understand that radars do not detect it at this altitude. There will definitely be an investigation. But we can already say that it was done on purpose,” the Head of State stated.
Ihor Klymenko, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, noted that the information on the consequences of the shelling was immediately shared with the European partners by the representatives of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
“Information about the consequences of the russian strike and the operational situation at the Chornobyl NPP was sent to the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre within the UCPM,” Ihor Klymenko said.
On the second day after the shelling of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, the State Emergency Service rescuers continue to mitigate the consequences. As of 15:00, there is no burning of insulation, and the rescuers are working to partially open the shelter structures and fill the voids with fire extinguishing agents.
Communications Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
