What was the impact and current safety status following the recent Russian drone strike on the Chernobyl nuclear power plant?

The Russian drone strike on Chernobyl caused a small hole in the sarcophagus shelter's outer metal casing above the former reactors. BBC correspondent James Waterhouse confirmed that while visible damage occurred, it only affected the external layer, with a thicker concrete structure remaining intact underneath. Crucially, radiation levels remain at what officials describe as "normal" levels, indicating no immediate radiological threat. The incident highlights the ongoing risks to nuclear facilities during the Ukraine conflict, particularly in areas like Chernobyl that were already designated exclusion zones from the 1986 disaster. This strike demonstrates how the war continues to threaten critical infrastructure, though fortunately without compromising nuclear safety in this instance.