Ukraine Seeks Solutions to Repair Damage at Chornobyl Nuclear Plant
CHORNOBYL, Ukraine (Reuters) – Ukraine is actively working to address the damage caused by a recent Russian drone attack on the confinement vessel at the troubled Chornobyl nuclear power plant, a government minister announced on Saturday.
Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Svitlana Hrynchuk, discussed ongoing efforts outside the decommissioned station during the unveiling of a new 0.8-megawatt solar power facility in preparation for two upcoming conferences focusing on Chornobyl and nuclear power operations.
Hrynchuk stated that Ukraine is collaborating with experts to determine the most effective approach to restoring the functionality of the containment vessel, which was compromised by the drone strike on February 14.
“Regrettably, the arch sustained partial damage following the attack. By May, we anticipate receiving the results of our current analysis,” Hrynchuk commented, emphasizing the involvement of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, scientific institutions, and companies responsible for installing the structure in 2019 to address the underlying “sarcophagus” issues from the 1986 disaster.
“We are actively engaged in this process. Our primary goal is to fully restore the arch’s integrity to prevent any potential leaks, as nuclear and radiation safety remains our top priority,” she added.
Officials at the plant revealed that the drone attack had created a significant breach in the containment structure’s outer cover, causing an explosion within. The incident was labeled as a “provocation” by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
The containment vessel was designed to encapsulate the deteriorating steel and concrete structure constructed in the aftermath of the catastrophic reactor explosion in 1986, which emitted radioactivity across Europe.
Located within the 30-km (18-mile) exclusion zone established after the disaster, the plant is surrounded by abandoned structures, including high-rise apartments and an amusement park.
Hrynchuk highlighted the significance of the new solar power facility in maintaining electricity supply to the inactive station and initiating plans to promote renewable energy in the region.
“For years, we have advocated for transforming the exclusion zone into a hub of innovation. This territory, uniquely suited for renewable energy projects, marks the beginning of our renewable energy initiatives,” she explained.
(Reporting by Yurii Kovalenko, writing by Felix Hoske and Ron Popeski, editing by Sandra Maler)
