Stories from Ukraine

A drone attack in February 2025 targeted the new protective shell of the Chernobyl reactor, which suffered a 1986 accident. The shell is reportedly leaking rainwater, and further strikes could lead to a nuclear chain reaction and a local catastrophe. Approximately 500 employees work around the clock in shifts due to high radiation levels. The situation is described as dangerous, with fears of attacks from rockets and drones affecting everyone in the country.

In occupied Sevastopol, Russian officials are inspecting entrepreneurs to determine if they celebrated May 9th with sufficient fervor. Businesses lacking symbols like the St. George ribbon or portraits of war-veteran relatives are being flagged as suspicious. Entrepreneurs are summoned for 'ideological line' discussions, with potential trade bans until the next parade if patriotic decorations are deemed insufficient. A 'patriotism rating' system is anticipated, ranging from basic work to elaborate displays.

A patient in Dnipro is unable to obtain treatment under a state program, with a doctor reportedly demanding payment for services already covered. Patients are advised not to fear approaching the healthcare facility's administration, as the head of the institution signs contracts with the National Health Service of Ukraine. The National Health Service of Ukraine offers a hotline at 1677 for complaints and clarification on state-funded services. Patients are encouraged to retain receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses, as the service reviews each complaint and can pursue claims against healthcare facilities, having returned over 800,000 UAH last year.

The protective shell at the New Safe Confinement site has not been fully repaired. Ukrainian soldiers are stationed in the zone to prevent a renewed Russian attack from Belarus and to counter drones and missiles. The radiation and constant combat readiness are a burden on soldiers' morale. This situation evokes memories of the 1986 disaster, with current events potentially bringing the world to the brink of human-caused catastrophe. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Moscow of engaging in nuclear terrorism. The Kremlin maintains that Russia is an integral part of Europe and not a threat. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant continues to operate with approximately 4,000 workers in shifts, including scientists, technicians, and engineers. The plant was occupied by Russian troops in 2022, who dug trenches in the contaminated forest, leading to increased radiation exposure.

Staff members are working 13-day consecutive shifts to monitor a destroyed nuclear reactor. The rotation is necessary because radioactive substances continue to emit radiation due to long half-lives. A drone attack in February 2025 previously damaged the reactor's protective shielding, leaving debris in the courtyard. Workers must remain on-site to ensure radiation safety standards are maintained. A strike on the storage of 16,000 spent fuel elements could trigger a nuclear chain reaction. Air defense personnel remain on constant alert in abandoned buildings within the exclusion zone. Workers must maintain high concentration during overnight shifts to respond to potential aerial threats. Concerns regarding Russian strikes in the radioactively contaminated area are increasing.

Approximately 500 personnel continue to work in shifts within the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exclusion zone. The protective shell of the 1986 reactor has not been fully repaired and remains leaky at impact sites. A drone attack in February 2025 targeted the protective structure of the 1986 reactor. Repairs at the Chernobyl site remain incomplete due to leaks at impact locations.

Approximately 500 personnel continue to work in shifts within the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exclusion zone. Radioactive samples were also stolen during this period. There is ongoing concern regarding the safety of the site during current hostilities. Damages from the impact have not been fully repaired to date. During the 2022 occupation, Russian troops also destroyed research labs and stole radioactive samples. Rainwater is entering the structure through strike points, and experts warn further damage to the protective shell could trigger a local nuclear chain reaction. Experts warn that additional strikes to the new containment shell could destroy the sarcophagus doors. Current reports focus on the ongoing threat posed by rainwater infiltration into the sarcophagus structure. The source appears to be archive, anniversary, or historical retrospective coverage of a past event.

Three FAB-500 guided bombs struck the city of Kramatorsk during a morning raid. The attack resulted in at least two deaths and one person in moderate condition.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant temporarily lost its external power supply for the 15th time since the start of the armed conflict. External power was restored within one hour of the incident. The event coincided with the anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. Station communications director Evgenia Yashina reported no immediate impact on safety conditions following the event. Earlier reports from the Ministry of Energy suggested a short circuit in a distribution device caused the outage. The plant remains one of the largest strategic energy hubs on the route to Kropyvnytskyi. Communications director Evgenia Yashina confirmed that power supply has been stabilized. The facility is currently operating following the technical failure. Emergency diesel generators were placed on standby during the incident but are no longer required for primary power.

Robert Madiar Brovdi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, has criticized manufacturers of equipment for the front lines. These drones may utilize artificial intelligence to select targets and operate without human operators. Future combat stages will involve a single operator controlling up to 20 drones simultaneously. This evolution includes the use of 'mother drones' to coordinate multiple units in the air, on land, and at sea. The technology aims to move beyond current limitations where one operator manages only 1-2 drones for specific tasks. Some drones will provide fire support while others will act as direct attack units. Drones will perform cargo and armament delivery, fire support, and direct attacks using artificial intelligence. Ukraine is investing intellectual resources into creating large-scale technological solutions for unmanned systems.