site.btaDeputy PM Zafirov: Radiation Levels in Bulgaria Normal after Drone Hit Chernobyl, No Grounds for Concern

Radiation levels in Bulgaria remain within normal limits after the drone strike on Chernobyl, and there are no grounds for concern, Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov told bTV Friday evening.

Zafirov showed a document from the Nuclear Regulatory Agency, confirming that the radiation background in Bulgaria remains at a safe level. As Deputy Prime Minister, he oversees the government's coordination with the agency. He also said that radiation levels in Ukraine have not increased either.

"The incident is troubling," Zafirov added. "We hope this horrific conflict comes to an end as soon as possible."

Earlier on Friday, Reuters reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a Russian drone had caused significant damage to the radiation containment shelter at the disused Chernobyl nuclear power plant overnight. Zelenskyy and the UN's atomic energy watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, both said that radiation levels remained normal after the incident, Reuters reported.