Ukraine prepares for possible return of Russian forces to Chornobyl zone

Ukraine’s military is preparing for a possible return of Russian forces to the Chornobyl exclusion zone, as occurred during the opening stages of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, German magazine Der Spiegel writes.

Russian troops occupied the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant at the beginning of the invasion but later withdrew. Ukraine currently controls the plant and the surrounding exclusion zone, while its military is preparing for possible contingencies in the area.

Der Spiegel also highlighted the zone’s proximity to Belarus, with the two countries separated by roughly 15 kilometres. A change in the security situation could potentially bring parts of the Chornobyl area within range of FPV drones.

The report also focused on the protective structure covering the destroyed fourth reactor at the Chornobyl plant. Ukrainian personnel have repaired damage to the structure’s outer metal shell after it was struck by a Russian drone.

The protective structure, installed in 2016, was designed to prevent radioactive particles from escaping and was expected to remain operational for about 100 years. However, a Russian drone strike in February 2025 caused a fire inside the structure and damaged its protective membrane, leaving it unable to function as originally intended.

By Sabina Mammadli