Zelenskyy: Russian Drone Strike Hits Chernobyl Structure

By RFE/RL February 14, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on February 14 that a Russian drone struck and "significantly" damaged the protective sarcophagus at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant but that radiation levels were normal after the incident.

Zelenskyy said in a statement that the concrete sarcophagus damaged in the strike covered Chernobyl's decaying reactor number four and accused Russia of "completely disregarding the consequences" of such an attack.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the damage. "During the night of 13-14 Feb, at around 01:50, IAEA team at the Chornobyl site heard an explosion coming from the New Safe Confinement, which protects the remains of reactor 4 of the former Chornobyl NPP (New Safe Confinement ), causing a fire. They were informed that a UAV had struck the NSC roof," the nuclear watchdog posted on X.

"This is a terrorist threat to the entire world," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy said the fire at the site had been extinguished and that authorities are continuing to monitor radiation levels.

His statement comes amid a push by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to negotiate an end to the nearly full-scale war that Russian President Vladimir Putin launched against Ukraine three years ago this month.

Zelenskyy said Russia "carries out such attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure and our cities every night" and accused Putin of "definitely not preparing for negotiations.

"He is preparing to continue deceiving the world," Zelenskyy said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-drone-strike- chernobyl-radiation-zelenskyy/33314624.html

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Zelenskyy: Russian Drone Strike Hits Chernobyl Structure