Ukraine Deploys Special Radiation Units to Guard Damaged Chernobyl Shelter

Ukraine’s General Staff announced on August 31 that radiation reconnaissance units of the Armed Forces are operating inside the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone to monitor safety conditions near the sarcophagus covering Reactor No. 4.

According to Defense Blog on August 31, specialists from the 704th Separate Brigade of Radiation, Chemical, and Biological (RCB) Defense are conducting detailed inspections of radiation levels, collecting samples, and documenting findings at the site of the protective structure.

The teams are equipped with advanced devices, including the FLIR identiFINDER R400 Radiation Detector, enabling precise detection and measurement of radiation during field operations.

The General Staff highlighted that these units played a key role earlier this year when a Russian drone strike in February damaged part of the structure known as the New Safe Confinement.

At that time, reconnaissance results allowed experts to confirm there was no radioactive leakage and to authorize restoration work.

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The announcement also recalls the legacy of Russia’s occupation of the site. On February 24, 2022, Russian forces advancing from Belarus seized control of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

Ukrainian National Guard units stationed at the facility were unable to resist the armored assault due to international restrictions on military activity within nuclear plants. Russian forces withdrew on April 2, 2022, leaving behind trenches in contaminated areas, mines, and environmental damage.

Ukrainian forces continue mine-clearance and restoration work in the exclusion zone. The General Staff stated that the latest deployment of radiation reconnaissance specialists reflects the need for continued vigilance after the February drone incident.

The sarcophagus, first erected after the 1986 disaster and later enclosed within the New Safe Confinement structure, remains essential for containing radioactive materials.

Any compromise to its integrity would pose risks for Ukraine and the wider region. Ukrainian authorities report that no radioactive substances have been released and that monitoring operations will continue to ensure safety at the site.

Earlier, on July 21, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant to assess the damage from the February drone strike. He announced $11 million in French support for recovery efforts and called on other countries to contribute.

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