News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

Explainer: The history of the Chernobyl nuclear plant

The Chernobyl nuclear power plant, where Ukraine accused Russia of striking a radiation containment structure, is a defunct facility in Ukraine which was the site of the world's worst civil nuclear catastrophe in April 1986. Here are some facts about the plant and the accident.

World • 14 Feb

Servicemen of Ukrainian National Guard have retaken control of the area around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant

Russians 'stole lethal substances' from Chernobyl

Russian forces who occupied the Chernobyl nuclear plant stole radioactive substances from research laboratories that could potentially kill them, Ukraine's State Agency for Managing the Exclusion Zone has said.

Ukraine • 10 Apr 22

Russian forces took control of the plant on 24 February

UN alarm over shelling of Chernobyl staff town

The International Atomic Energy Agency has expressed "concern" after Ukraine warned of bombardment by Russia of the town where staff working at the Chernobyl nuclear site live.

Ukraine • 25 Mar 22

Russia has seized the defunct Chernobyl plant

'No critical impact on safety' from Chernobyl power cut

Power has been entirely cut to the Chernobyl power plant, site of the world's worst nuclear disaster in 1986, and its security systems, Ukraine's energy operator Ukrenergo has said.

Ukraine • 09 Mar 22

A file photo of Chernobyl nuclear power plant

Higher Chernobyl radiation reported - Ukraine

Ukraine has said it has recorded increased radiation levels from the defunct Chernobyl nuclear power plant, a day after the site was captured by Russian forces.

World • 25 Feb 22

The deserted streets around Pripyat made for an ideal training ground

Ukraine forces train for combat in Chernobyl ghost town

Machine gun fire echoed through the abandoned buildings of Pripyat in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, as Ukrainian National Guard troops staged urban combat exercises.

World • 04 Feb 22

Tina Rooney greeted Marina at Dublin Airport two years ago

'Heartbreaking' Christmas without Chernobyl children

Ireland • 22 Dec 21

Paul Cunningham pictured in Chernobyl in 2006 on 20th anniversary of nuclear reactor explosion

Danger was blowing in the wind during Chernobyl visit

On the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, RTÉ's Political Correspondent Paul Cunningham recalls his visit to the radioactive site 15 years ago.

Analysis and Comment • 26 Apr 21

President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina light a candle to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the disaster (Pic: @PresidentIRL

President Higgins leads Chernobyl commemoration

President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina have led a global candle lighting ceremony to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

Ireland • 26 Apr 21

The Przewalski's horse breed breed is named after Russian scientist Nikolai Przewalski

Wild horses flourish in Chernobyl years after explosion

Down an overgrown country road, three startled wild horses with rugged coats and rigid manes dart into the flourishing overgrowth of their unlikely nature reserve: the Chernobyl exclusion zone.

News Lens • 23 Apr 21

Adi Roche has visited the Vesnova orphanage in Belarus on a number of occasions

Virus outbreak at Chernobyl orphanage critical - Roche

Adi Roche, the founder of Chernobyl Children International, has said it has been a "shattering blow" to hear that there is a Covid-19 outbreak at the charity's Vesnova orphanage in Belarus.

Coronavirus • 23 Apr 20

An aerial picture shows a forest fire burning in the Chernobyl exclusion zone

Kiev says 'no open fire' in forests near Chernobyl zone

Ukraine has said that only small isolated fires remain at the scene of a blaze that erupted 10 days ago in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, scene of the world's worst nuclear accident in 1986.

World • 14 Apr 20

The blaze has burned through over 3,000 hectares in a week

Firefighters struggle to control fires near Chernobyl

Firefighters in Ukraine are working to bring forest fires under control in the area around the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

News Lens • 13 Apr 20

The group landed at Dublin Airport from Belarus

Chernobyl children arrive in Ireland for Christmas

Thirty children from Chernobyl have arrived in Ireland for the Christmas holidays.

Ireland • 20 Dec 19

Over the last 30 years, 25,500 children from Belarus and western Russia have visited Ireland as part of the annual summer rest and recuperation programme

120 Chernobyl children arrive for respite break

One hundred and twenty children and young adults with special needs from the region in Belarus affected by Chernobyl have arrived in Ireland to begin a four-week holiday of rest and recuperation from the most toxic landscape in the world.

Ireland • 25 Jun 19

31 plant workers and firemen died in the immediate aftermath of the accident in 1986

UN to mark 33rd anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster

A ceremony marking International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day will be held at the United Nations in New York today.

World • 26 Apr 19

The group arrived in Ireland for a two weeks with volunteer host families in nine counties across the country

Chernobyl children arrive in Ireland for Christmas

Forty children and young adults from Chernobyl were given a warm welcome at Dublin Airport as they arrived for a Christmas respite visit.

Ireland • 18 Dec 18

The Legacy of Chernobyl – The Land

In the final part of his series looking at the impact of the Chernobyl nuclear accident three decades on, Will Goodbody examines the ongoing contamination of the land and its effect on the people

World • 29 Jun 18

The Legacy of Chernobyl - The Land

The third and final part of Science & Technology Correspondent Will Goodbody's series on Chernobyl

Chernobyl • 29 Jun 18

The Legacy of Chernobyl - The Plant

In the second of his two-part series, RTÉ's Will Goodbody visits the Chernobyl plant to see how the clean-up operation is progressing

Chernobyl • 28 Jun 18

The Legacy of Chernobyl - The Children

Science & Technology Correspondent Will Goodbody travelled to Chernobyl to meet children still impacted by the nuclear accident in 1986. Read the first of his three-part series.

Chernobyl • 27 Jun 18

A child is welcomed to Ireland during a previous visit

Chernobyl children arrive in Ireland for respite

145 children from orphanages and homes in Belarus still impacted by the Chernobyl nuclear accident of 1986 have arrived in Ireland today for a month of respite with host families.

Chernobyl • 27 Jun 18

The Legacy of Chernobyl - The Plant

More than 30 years after the accident, RTÉ News has visited the Chernobyl plant to see how the clean-up operation is progressing

World • 10 Aug 18

Those arriving from Chernobyl will spend the next two weeks with host families around Ireland

Irish families welcome Chernobyl children for Christmas

Thirty children and young adults with special needs from the Chernobyl-affected region of Belarus have arrived at Dublin airport.

News • 19 Dec 17

A woman touches a portrait during a memorial ceremony at the monument to Chernobyl victims in Slavutich

Chernobyl exposed vulnerability of humanity - Higgins

President Michael D Higgins has said the Chernobyl disaster 31 years ago exposed the vulnerability of humanity and the environment.

World • 26 Apr 17