Russian Drone Strike Damages Chernobyl Reactor Shelter, Ukraine Reports

 A Russian drone struck the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant overnight, causing damage to the concrete shelter encasing the site’s destroyed fourth reactor, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on Friday. The attack ignited a fire that was later extinguished, though officials assured that radiation levels in the area remain stable.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that its team stationed at the site heard a powerful explosion just before 2 a.m. local time. Despite the “significant” damage to the protective structure, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service stated that radiation readings remain within normal limits.

Moscow, however, denied any involvement in the strike. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the accusations, calling it “another provocation” from Ukraine.

Rising Nuclear Safety Concerns

The attack on Chernobyl follows ongoing concerns about nuclear safety in the conflict. Since the beginning of the war, Ukrainian and international officials have repeatedly warned that Russian actions risk triggering a major nuclear incident. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest, has been a focal point of tensions, with repeated shelling and military activity near the site raising alarms.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has previously warned that “every principle of nuclear safety” has been violated during the war, particularly during intense battles near Zaporizhzhia in 2022.

Geopolitical Tensions and US Response

The strike on Chernobyl came just days after a high-profile call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, who described their conversation as “lengthy and highly productive.” The call took place ahead of potential peace talks aimed at ending the nearly three-year conflict.

Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled a shift in US priorities, telling European leaders that Ukraine’s NATO membership—one of Kyiv’s primary goals—was “not a realistic outcome” of any peace settlement. This statement was seen as a boost for the Kremlin, which has long opposed Ukraine’s NATO ambitions.

However, other members of the Trump administration took a harder stance. US Vice President JD Vance told the Wall Street Journal that military intervention and economic penalties remain options if a peace deal does not guarantee Ukraine’s long-term independence.

The Legacy of Chernobyl

Unit 4 at Chernobyl, near Ukraine’s border with Belarus, suffered a catastrophic meltdown in 1986, leading to one of the worst nuclear disasters in history. The reactor was later entombed in a massive steel and concrete sarcophagus, completed in 2017 with significant international funding.

Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, emphasized that the US played a key role in financing and supporting the construction of the containment structure, calling the attack a direct threat to global nuclear safety.

Ukraine’s Military Response

According to Ukraine’s military, Russia launched 133 drones in overnight attacks across the country. Of these, 73 were intercepted, while 58 failed to reach their targets. Drones were reportedly shot down in 11 different regions, reflecting the sustained intensity of Russian aerial assaults.

The attack on Chernobyl occurred just ahead of the Munich Security Conference, where Zelensky is expected to meet with US officials, including Vice President Vance. The strike, along with Trump’s unexpected call with Putin, has sparked concerns among European leaders about a potential "dirty deal" that could end the war on terms favorable to Moscow without Kyiv's direct involvement.

Zelensky remains skeptical of Putin’s intentions, stating that the continued drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure prove that Moscow “is definitely not preparing for negotiations—he is preparing to continue deceiving the world.”