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Chernobyl at 40

Chernobyl at 40

Survivors and experts are marking the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster amid growing concerns that the site remains at risk due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

In February 2025, a Russian drone strike damaged the New Safe Confinement dome, sparking fears that the protective structure could fail.

Former 'liquidators' who worked the night of the 1986 explosion warn that the lessons of history are being ignored as military activity continues near the exclusion zone.

The site, which remains one of the most contaminated places on Earth, faces a critical race for repairs to prevent a secondary environmental catastrophe.

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Ingmar Runge, CC BY-SA 3.0
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
Decommissioned nuclear power station near the city of Pripyat, Ukraine, known by Chernobyl disaster
Ukraine
Country in Eastern Europe
Russia
Country in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia