Russia says radiation levels are normal after fires near Chornobyl

Ukraine’s emergency services said firefighters are tackling fires near the exclusion zone

A bus drives on a road covered with anti-drone net near the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv region, Ukraine Apr 26, 2026. REUTERS/Alina Smutko

Russia said on Friday that it was carrying out enhanced radiation monitoring after fires in the exclusion zone around the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine but that there was no excess radiation.

"The radiation situation in the Russian Federation remains stable," Russia's national public health agency said.

The 1986 Chornobyl disaster is considered to be the world's worst civil nuclear accident. The accident spread Iodine-131, Caesium-134 and Caesium-137 across parts of Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, northern and central Europe.

Ukraine's emergency services said that firefighters are extinguishing fires in the exclusion area around the Chornobyl plant. Ukrainian officials said the radiation levels were normal.

Firefighters in Ukraine said the situation was complicated by strong winds and landmines in the area.