Ukraine fortifies Chornobyl against possible new Russian attack
Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian forces are preparing for the possible return of Russian troops to the Chornobyl zone, as happened at the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Der Spiegel reports.
At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russian troops occupied the territory of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. It is currently controlled by Ukraine, but Ukrainian forces throughout the zone are preparing for possible surprises.
In particular, checkpoints have been set up every few kilometers.
Construction equipment is also digging trenches and pits in the sandy soil. The excavated soil is being used to create embankments at road intersections.
According to Der Spiegel, defensive galleries are already being built beneath the sandy mounds. Wood from the surrounding pine forests is being used for their walls and ceilings.
In addition, construction crews are installing tall metal poles along the roads and stretching plastic nets between them. They are intended to obstruct drones by causing them to become entangled in the nets. This tactic has already been used in Donbas.
The report also draws attention to the proximity of Belarus to the Chornobyl zone. About 15 kilometers separate them. If the situation changes, Chornobyl could come within range of FPV drones.
Der Spiegel separately writes about the protective structure over the destroyed fourth reactor of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. After a Russian drone struck it, Ukrainians patched the damaged metal shell.
The protective structure was installed in 2016 to prevent the release of radioactive particles. It was intended to last 100 years, but after a Russian drone strike in February 2025, it no longer functions as planned. At the time, a smoldering fire broke out inside the shell and destroyed the membrane.
In June this year, a Russian drone damaged a nuclear infrastructure facility near Chornobyl. It was a nuclear fuel storage facility.
