Ukrainian rescuers use drones in unprecedented operation to contain fire at Chornobyl nuclear Plant

On February 14, russian forces struck the Chornobyl nuclear power plant’s sarcophagus with a drone, sparking a dangerous blaze. Rescuers bore the brunt of the work on the ground, but the use of unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with thermal cameras proved crucial in identifying the fire’s hot spots – an effort unlike any seen elsewhere in the world.

Ihor Hetalo, head of the Department for the Organization of Work and Use of Unmanned Systems and Robotics, State Emergency Service of Ukraine, reported this at a briefing at Media Center Ukraine. 

“It was the drones with thermal imagers that made it possible to locate the centers of the fire, direct rescuers to those points, and determine where to channel the water,” said the official. “The operation was extremely complex and truly unique. No other emergency service in the world has ever dealt with such a situation.”

The coordinated use of drones allowed teams on the ground to navigate the high-risk zone safely and bring the blaze under control.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news