As Russia Seizes Chernobyl Site, Ukraine's 15 Nuclear Reactors Pose Unprecedented Risk in War Zone

Russian military activity near Ukraine's nuclear sites have raised alarm, as triggering any of the volatile reactors around the country could cause nuclear catastrophe for the entire European continent. Russian troops have seized the site of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster and have reportedly taken staff hostage, raising fear that any disturbance could rerelease deadly radiation that has been sealed off for years. As Ukraine relies on nuclear power for 50% of its electricity, shutting down active nuclear reactors would alleviate the potential for nuclear catastrophe at the cost of leaving many deprived of electricity during the war. "This is the first time that we've ever seen a war zone in a location where there are operating nuclear power plants," says Linda Pentz Gunter, international specialist at Beyond Nuclear. "Any manner of situations could lead to a catastrophic meltdown."

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