The National Guard has placed the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) and the exclusion zone under increased security. They are also establishing closer cooperation with units of the Defense Forces to more effectively protect the territory.
This was announced by the commander of the National Guard, Oleksandr Pivnenko, on January 19.
According to the brigadier general, over the past few months, the National Guard has carried out a set of measures to enhance the combat readiness of units performing tasks in this direction.
“Organizational and staff changes were made: the number of personnel was increased, units were reinforced with modern weapons, anti-tank missile systems, mortars, air defense systems, necessary equipment and equipment,” the post says.
Also, the use of drones is increasing to protect the Chernobyl NPP and the exclusion zone.
“This direction will continue to be developed as one of the key elements of security, reinforcing other units. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles ensures continuous monitoring of the situation, timely collection of information, and increases readiness to immediately respond to any changes in the situation,” said Oleksandr Pivnenko.
Also, according to the brigadier general, the National Guard constantly conducts military exercises together with other military and law enforcement officers to practice various scenarios of defensive actions.
It was previously reported that at the Chernobyl NPP, priority work to restore the confinement over the destroyed fourth power unit is planned to be completed by the end of 2026. The arch, which protects against radiation leakage, was damaged by the Russian attack on February 14, 2025.
What is known about the Russian drone attack on the Chernobyl NPP
On the night of February 14, a Russian strike drone with a high-explosive warhead hit the shelter of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. According to the State Emergency Service, the radiation background at the site was normal in the morning.
Ukraine called on the IAEA to intensify efforts to prevent Russian attacks on nuclear facilities due to Russia's attack on the shelter arch of the fourth power unit of the Chernobyl NPP.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Russian drone that hit the sarcophagus at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was flying at an altitude of 85 meters. At such an altitude, radars cannot track drones.
Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied Russia's involvement in the attack on the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.