In a concerning development, a Russian drone has struck the radiation shelter covering the damaged reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, as reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The incident occurred overnight and targeted the shelter of the plant’s devastated fourth reactor unit, resulting in a fire that has since been extinguished. As of now, there has been no response from Russian officials regarding the attack.
President Zelensky assured that radiation levels at the facility had not increased following the strike, a crucial piece of information as safety remains a top priority. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which oversees global nuclear safety, confirmed that fire safety personnel and vehicles quickly responded to the explosion, with no casualties reported.
IAEA maintains vigilance
The IAEA stated that radiation levels both inside and outside the Chernobyl site are normal and stable. Nevertheless, the agency remains on “high alert” in light of the incident. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized the need for constant vigilance, stating there is “no room for complacency” as global security concerns continue to mount.
Chernobyl, infamous for being the site of the most catastrophic nuclear disaster in history, is still recovering from the 1986 explosion that released vast amounts of radioactive material across Europe. President Zelensky shared footage on X that apparently shows damage to the enormous shield, meticulously constructed from concrete and steel, which protects the reactor’s remains. This protective structure, measuring 275 meters wide and 108 meters tall, was built at a cost of $1.6 billion (£1.3 billion) and is designed to prevent radioactive leaks for the next century.
“Every night, Russia carries out such attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and cities,” Zelensky stated, asserting that the drone strike reflects that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “definitely not preparing for negotiations.”
Heightened military tensions
The strike on Chernobyl comes amid increased military activity around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine, another critical site closely monitored by the IAEA. In a notable incident from December, both Ukraine and Russia accused each other of conducting a drone attack on a convoy of IAEA experts headed to the Zaporizhzhia facility, which holds the title of Europe’s largest nuclear power station.
The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, condemned the attack on the agency’s staff as “unacceptable,” underlining the organization’s ongoing efforts to avert a nuclear accident during the ongoing military conflict. The IAEA has previously called for restraint due to the heightened risk of a “major nuclear incident,” particularly following hostilities that centered around the Zaporizhzhia plant.
As President Zelensky prepares for discussions with US officials, including Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the war in Ukraine is expected to dominate the agenda at a significant security meeting of world leaders in Munich later today.