A nuclear safety agency say they are on “high alert” following the incident.
Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that a Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead hit the protective containment shell of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Kyiv overnight.
The strike hit the shelter of the plant’s destroyed former fourth power unit, causing a fire that has since been extinguished.
President Zelenskyy told the media this morning that radiation levels had not increased at the plant.
BREAKING: Ukraine says a Russian drone hit the shelter protecting the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Radiation levels remain normal pic.twitter.com/SJcYCXJOD1
— BNO News (@BNONews) February 14, 2025
Despite this, the IAEA – an agency which monitors nuclear safety around the world – have confirmed they are on “high alert” even though radiation levels inside and outside Chernobyl remain normal and stable.
Its director general Rafael Mariano Grossi said there is “no room for complacency”.
As reported by Associated Press, Russian officials made no immediate comment, and it was not possible to independently confirm Ukraine’s claim of Russian responsibility.
The U.N. atomic agency did not attribute blame, saying only its team stationed at the site heard an explosion and were informed that a drone had struck the shell.
The incident comes two days after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war, in a move that seemed to identify Putin as the only player that matters and appeared to sideline Zelenskyy, as well as European governments, in any peace talks.
Chernobyl is the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident – a catastrophic explosion that sent a plume of radioactive material into the air in 1986, triggering a public health emergency across Europe.
Humans were evacuated from Chernobyl and surrounding areas to avoid extreme levels of radiation.
Zelensky claimed the attack shows Russian President Vladimir Putin is “definitely not preparing for negotiations”.
“Every night, Russia carries out such attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and cities,” Zelensky added, He called for “unified pressure” to hold Moscow accountable.
Today, Zelensky will meet US Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for talks in Munich, with the war in Ukraine expected to dominate a major security meeting of world leaders.
