Risk of nuclear disaster is minimal as Russian forces reach Chernobyl

Matthew Sparkes is a writer.

Russian forces gained control of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in Ukraine, and reports of firefights at the site have led to concerns about the release of radioactive material from the plant, which experienced a catastrophic meltdown in 1986. Physicists say the risk of radioactive emissions is very low.

Russian forces have reached Chernobyl, where they have met resistance from Ukrainian soldiers. A researcher who monitors the emission of neutrons from the reactor spoke to New Scientist and said that staff at Chernobyl were safe. He says they don't enter inside.

The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia's actions could cause another ecological disaster.