Ukraine’s General Staff said on August 31 that radiation reconnaissance units of the Armed Forces are operating inside the Chernobyl (Chornobyl – Ukrainian transliteration) Exclusion Zone to monitor safety conditions near the damaged sarcophagus covering Reactor No. 4.
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 directly at the site of the protective structure.
The teams are equipped with advanced monitoring devices, including the FLIR identiFINDER R400 Radiation Detector, which allows for precise detection and measurement of radiation during field operations.
The General Staff noted that these units were critical earlier this year, when a Russian “Shahed” drone strike in February 2025 damaged part of the structure known as the Shelter, or sarcophagus, built over the destroyed reactor. Reconnaissance results at that time allowed experts to quickly assess the scale of the threat, rule out radioactive leakage, and authorize restoration work.
“Radiation is an invisible and insidious enemy,” the General Staff said, stressing that the continued presence of RCB units at Chernobyl remains essential to maintaining control and ensuring public safety.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of lingering consequences from Russia’s occupation of the site. On February 24, 2022, the first day of the full-scale invasion, Russian forces advancing from Belarus seized control of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Ukrainian National Guard units, assigned to guard the facility, were unable to resist the armored assault due to international rules prohibiting combat operations and heavy military equipment inside nuclear plants.
Russian occupation of the Chernobyl zone lasted until April 2, 2022. During that period, troops dug trenches in contaminated areas, exposing themselves to radiation hazards. Ukrainian officials later reported extensive fortification, mining, and environmental damage in the exclusion zone.
Today, Ukrainian forces continue to clear mines and mitigate the effects of Russia’s occupation. The latest deployment of radiation reconnaissance specialists reflects ongoing vigilance after the February drone incident, ensuring the damaged structure remains secure.
The sarcophagus, first erected after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and later enclosed within the New Safe Confinement structure, remains a critical barrier to containing radioactive materials. Any compromise to its integrity poses risks not only for Ukraine but also for the wider region.
As of now, Ukrainian authorities report no release of radioactive substances and continue restoration work at the site. The General Staff emphasized that radiation monitoring will remain ongoing to prevent any potential escalation of risk in the Chernobyl zone.