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New fires have broken out in the Chernobyl exclusion zone following the Russian attack

New fires have broken out in the Chernobyl exclusion zone following the Russian attack

Katerina Melnychenko Deputy Editor-in-Chief

15 May 2026, 11:00

New fires have broken out in the Chernobyl exclusion zone following the Russian attack — Forest fire in the Chernobyl exclusion zone

On 14 May 2026, new forest fires broke out in the Chernobyl exclusion zone following a Russian attack. According to the State Agency for the Management of the Exclusion Zone, the fires were caused by the downing of a ‘Geran-2’ UAV; however, radiation levels have not exceeded safety limits.

This was reported by the State Agency for the Management of the Exclusion Zone on Facebook.

Forest fires have been reported again in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone following the Russian attack.

The fires broke out on 14 May following the downing of Russian ‘Geran-2’ drones.

According to the State Agency for the Management of the Exclusion Zone, new fire outbreaks have appeared on the territory of the Opachychi Nature Conservation Research Department of the Chernobyl Radiation-Ecological Biosphere Reserve.

Just the day before, a large-scale fire that had been burning for several days had been brought under control in the exclusion zone. Following the new attack, the area is once again under threat.

The State Agency for the Management of the Exclusion Zone reported that firefighting efforts are being hampered by heavy smoke, fallen trees and difficult terrain.

Heavy machinery, bulldozers and personnel with chainsaws were deployed to reach the fire sites.

Remains of Russian drones were also found at the crash sites. Pyrotechnic units of the State Emergency Service are currently working there.

Despite the new fires, radiation levels in the exclusion zone do not exceed control limits.

According to available data, radiation background levels in the exclusion zone, compared to monthly averages, did not exceed the margin of error.

The State Agency for Exclusion Zone Management emphasised that Russian attacks are once again posing a threat to the unique ecosystem of the Chernobyl zone.

Every new fire poses risks to the forests, wildlife and territories that have been recovering for decades following the 1986 disaster.

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