The danger is not theoretical. The exclusion zone around the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant is regularly the subject of Russian attacks. The nuclear danger is great, and the remaining Ukrainian scientists there are left to fend for themselves, writes ARD.
Among birch trees, ruins and rusty warning signs lies one of the most dangerous research areas in Europe: the exclusion zone around Chernobyl in Ukraine. There is still radioactive contamination there, and since the beginning of the Russian offensive war it has also been a frontline area. For weeks, the region around the exploded plant has been occupied by Russia, is largely mined and is constantly under fire, ARD writes.
The Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the former Soviet Union suffered the worst nuclear disaster in the world in 1986. It is estimated that thousands of people have died over the years as a result of the accident. A 30-km exclusion zone has been established around the plant.
The world's most contaminated lake
However, some Ukrainian scientists continue to work there - like Gennady Laptev from the Hydrometeorological Institute, who told German public media about the cooling lake of the destroyed fourth reactor, which is located just kilometers away.
"This lake is one of the most contaminated with radiation in the world," he explains. It is called the "radiation archive" because the chronology of the entire disaster can be traced in the silt. If the lake is hit by a Russian attack, it could become a danger to thousands.
For researchers, samples from this lake are extremely important in order to be able to reconstruct how the radioactive exposure occurred or to identify possible sources of danger. Scientists know: any strike can disrupt this delicate balance.
In the flight corridor of Russian drones and missiles
The restricted zone today is located in the flight corridor of Russian drones and missiles - on their way to Kiev, writes ARD. Many of them have been shot down, their remains have fallen into the contaminated area. Recently, a Russian drone hit the containment vessel of the destroyed reactor unit.
Former engineer Volodymyr Verbitsky described the situation as extremely dangerous: the containment vessel was damaged, no longer hermetically sealed. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed minor damage to the outer steel structure, but did not detect increased radiation.
However, the danger remains high, ARD commented: scientists on site emphasize that the pressure balance in the containment vessel is no longer functioning.
What would be the consequences of a hit?
Since the area is subject to attacks, a direct hit could release radioactively contaminated dust particles - with unpredictable consequences for the entire region. For scientists, this means collecting data to understand what the next hit or forest fire near the reactor could lead to and what consequences this would have for the environment and the population.
“For example, we had to calculate what would happen to Kiev if the cooling lake dam were to collapse“, Laptev explained to ARD. The water from the lake would then flow into the Pripyat River, which in turn flows into the Dnieper, which in turn is a source of drinking water for millions of people.
The danger is not theoretical: when Russia blew up the dam of the “Nova Kakhovka” dam in 2023, it became clear how great the risk of environmental damage is. In Chernobyl, such a breakthrough would have a terrifying effect. Radioactive sediments could reach the rivers, and from there – and to the Black Sea.
The damage caused by the Russian occupation
In the central analysis laboratory in the outlawed so-called eco-center, the remaining experts in the area are trying to continue their work. During the Russian occupation, devices were stolen, data was deleted, equipment and premises were destroyed, and radioactive samples were taken away or destroyed. The Russian soldiers left chaos in their wake, the German public media writes.
The measurement networks had to be reinstalled, the databases restored from paper media. “We had to create everything again”, says the head of the laboratory, Bohdana Kotik, but the samples for analysis are no longer enough - only about 50 percent of what was available before the war. In addition, many areas are still mined or closed by the military.
There are no international surveys
Previously, research teams from all over the world conducted research in the area of the “Chernobyl“ nuclear power plant, and international researchers regularly came. Today, this is almost impossible, many countries prohibit their scientists from visiting the zone for security reasons. Many partners are gone, projects have been suspended, money is scarce - and this at a time when scientific data from the prohibited zone are more important than ever.
The few remaining Ukrainian experts are mainly engaged in routine activities: measurements, samples, assessments - because knowledge about this unique zone must not be lost. “If we stop measuring, no one will know what is happening here“, one of the scientists told ARD.
At least minimal control over the zone
In the meantime, some of the devices automatically send data to Kiev. This allows at least minimal control over radiation exposure to be maintained, even if no one can enter the zone anymore. But the Ukrainian team on site is also shrinking: many of the experienced experts are now retired, abroad - or at the front. Young recruits are hardly coming, the scientists remaining in Chernobyl told the German media.
Those who remain are working intensively to control radiation and store data. And if the Chernobyl plant was once a symbol of international cooperation, today it is a symbol of resilience in an emergency.