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Chernobyl

Chernobyl, Ukraine, was the site of a major nuclear disaster in 1986. When a systems test in a reactor there went out of control, the ensuing meltdown sent radioactive material across Europe.

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Reports & Analysis

Spent nuclear fuel storage grounds at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine

Spent nuclear fuel storage grounds at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine

Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia: How safe is the nuclear plant?

Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia: How safe is the nuclear plant?

The International Atomic Energy Agency warned Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia power plant was 'dangerously close to an accident.'

Protesters' iconic yellow flag with a red smiling sun. It reads "Atomkraft? Nein Danke" (Nuclear power? No thanks!)

Protesters' iconic yellow flag with a red smiling sun. It reads "Atomkraft? Nein Danke" (Nuclear power? No thanks!)

Will nuclear energy make a comeback in Germany?

Will nuclear energy make a comeback in Germany?

Germany phased out nuclear energy in 2023, but some politicians are calling for new nuclear plants to be built.

Steam rises from four nuclear plant cool towers

Steam rises from four nuclear plant cool towers

Is nuclear energy the way to achieve climate goals?

Is nuclear energy the way to achieve climate goals?

A declaration to triple capacity at UN climate talks suggests a nuclear revival. Not everyone agrees.

A security person stands in front of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

A security person stands in front of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Ukraine: What's the worst-case scenario for Zaporizhzhia?

Ukraine: What's the worst-case scenario for Zaporizhzhia?

Kyiv has warned that Russia might be planning detonations at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. What could happen?

A climber carrying a large rucksack and oxygen cylinders is seen in front of Mount Everest

A climber carrying a large rucksack and oxygen cylinders is seen in front of Mount Everest

Leaving the comfort zone: Extreme tourism on the rise

Leaving the comfort zone: Extreme tourism on the rise

Extreme tourism, taking adrenaline junkies to places like former war zones and isolated jungles, is booming.

Construction work at the Fukushima nuclear plant

Construction work at the Fukushima nuclear plant

Fukushima fears aside, Japan still depends on nuclear power

Fukushima fears aside, Japan still depends on nuclear power

The 2011 Fukushima disaster helped seal the fate of nuclear power in Japan, or so it seemed.

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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

Russian letters in string lights

Russian letters in string lights

What would happen if a nuclear bomb was used in Ukraine?

Historic events at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Chernobyl and Fukushima, are only a rough guide to fallout from nuclear war.

the six reactors at the the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

the six reactors at the the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Russia could shutter Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

The deteriorating situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine includes reports of shelling.

A soldier in front of the defunct Chernobyl nuclear power plant

A soldier in front of the defunct Chernobyl nuclear power plant

Chernobyl: What are the safety risks as war rages?

Workers are unable to rotate off shift, communications with the site are down and electricity has reportedly been lost.

Picture of helicopter spreading stuff to reduce contamination of radioactive elements

Picture of helicopter spreading stuff to reduce contamination of radioactive elements

The risks of war in a nuclear state

What happens now that Ukraine's largest active nuclear power plant has been caught in the crossfire of the conflict?

A checkpoint at an entrance to the village of Tulgovichi, Khoiniksky District, with a red stop sign and a radiation warning sign

A checkpoint at an entrance to the village of Tulgovichi, Khoiniksky District, with a red stop sign and a radiation warning sign

The real cost of nuclear energy

Nuclear power will soon be seen as environmentally friendly in the EU. But nothing about it is green or safe.

Portrait of a woman (Jeannette Cwienk) with blonde hair and wearing a scarf and gray blazer

Portrait of a woman (Jeannette Cwienk) with blonde hair and wearing a scarf and gray blazer

Jeannette Cwienk

Commentary

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks in front of a sign that reads "nuclear" in French

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks in front of a sign that reads "nuclear" in French

Going nuclear: Should nations unilaterally decide?

As nations extend the life of ageing nuclear energy infrastructure, bordering countries have little say.