Russian drone attack hits Chernobyl nuclear plant
What's the story
A Russian drone, equipped with a high-explosive warhead, hit the protective shelter over Chernobyl's destroyed reactor close to Ukraine's border with Belarus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Friday. The attack caused a fire at the site, which has now been doused. Although the shelter was severely damaged, radiation levels remain stable, both Zelenskyy and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.
Containment intact
IAEA confirms no breach in Chernobyl's inner containment
The IAEA said its staff at the Chernobyl site "heard an explosion coming from the New Safe Confinement" just before 2:00am local time. They were told a UAV had hit the NSC roof. Nevertheless, the agency confirmed there was "no indication of a breach in the inner containment" shell. The concrete and steel shelter, built in 2017 by an international coalition, contains radiation for a century after the reactor's 1986 explosion.
Presidential condemnation
Zelenskyy condemns attack, highlights Russia's disregard for consequences
Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a "terrorist threat to the entire world," stressing that "the only country in the world that attacks such sites, occupies nuclear power plants, and wages war without any regard for the consequences is today's Russia." He added that "Russia must be held accountable for its actions." The strike came just hours before the Munich Security Conference where Zelenskyy is set to meet US Vice President JD Vance.
Drone attacks
Ukraine reports extensive drone activity, IAEA on high alert
Ukraine's military said Russia launched 133 drones across Ukraine on Thursday night, of which 73 were shot down. Zelenskyy said these nightly attacks show Putin isn't preparing for negotiations but continuing to fool the world. Just days ago, United States President Donald Trump said that negotiations to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine will start "immediately" following a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Vice President JD Vance is also expected to meet Zelenskyy later on Friday.