A drone strike from Russia has targeted the radiation shelter above the damaged reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power facility, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The attack occurred overnight, impacting the shelter of the plant’s former fourth reactor, which had been destroyed, and resulted in a fire that has since been put out, he noted. There has been no response from Russia regarding the incident.
Zelensky reported that as of Friday morning, radiation levels at the facility remained stable.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear regulatory body, stated that fire safety teams and vehicles were on the scene within minutes following the explosion. The agency confirmed that there were no reported injuries.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), responsible for overseeing global nuclear safety, reported that radiation levels in and around Chernobyl are currently stable and within normal ranges.
Following the recent incident, the agency is maintaining a “high alert” status, with Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasizing the need for vigilance and caution.
Chernobyl is infamous for being the site of the most severe nuclear disaster in history, where a massive explosion in 1986 released a significant amount of radioactive material into the atmosphere, leading to a public health crisis across Europe.
Ukrainian President Zelensky shared video footage on X that appears to depict damage to the massive concrete and steel sarcophagus covering the reactor, which lost its roof during the explosion.
This protective structure is intended to contain radioactive leaks for the next century, measuring 275 meters (900 feet) in width and 108 meters (354 feet) in height, with a construction cost of $1.6 billion (£1.3 billion).
Zelensky asserted that the attack indicates Russian President Vladimir Putin is “definitely not preparing for negotiations,” contradicting a recent statement from US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Putin had agreed to initiate peace talks.
Read more: Baltic Nations Shift Away from Russian Power Grid.
“Every night, Russia conducts such assaults on Ukraine’s infrastructure and urban areas,” Zelensky remarked, urging for “unified pressure” to ensure accountability for Moscow’s actions.
Later on Friday, Zelensky is scheduled to meet with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Munich, where discussions are expected to focus on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine during a significant security summit involving global leaders.
The recent strike at Chernobyl follows a surge in military operations near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine, according to the IAEA.
In December, both Ukraine and Russia accused one another of conducting a drone strike on a convoy carrying IAEA experts en route to the Zaporizhzhia facility, which is the largest nuclear power station in Europe.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi denounced the attack on his personnel as “unacceptable,” emphasizing the agency’s commitment to preventing a nuclear accident amid the ongoing military conflict.
Last year, the agency called for caution after an assault on Zaporizhzhia heightened the potential for a “major nuclear incident.” Russia and Ukraine exchanged accusations regarding the August attack.
