Russian Drone Strike Damages Chernobyl Nuclear Plant, Sparks Fears of Radiation Leak
A Russian drone struck the protective outer shell of Ukraine’s Chernobyl nuclear power plant early Friday, February 14, 2025, causing a fire and significant damage to the structure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attributed the attack to Russia, stating that a high-explosive warhead was used. The strike created a hole in the massive steel-and-concrete containment structure, which was built in 2016 to prevent radiation leaks from the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster. Despite the damage, radiation levels at the plant remained normal, according to the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The IAEA confirmed that the strike did not breach the inner containment shell, which encases the highly radioactive debris from the destroyed Reactor No. 4. The agency’s personnel on-site responded quickly, and no injuries or casualties were reported. However, Ukrainian officials warned that the attack posed a serious risk, as the protective structure was not designed to withstand such strikes. Oleksandr Kharchenko, director of the Kyiv-based Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, stated that while the damage was concerning, there was “no immediate danger” of radioactive leaks.
Russia denied responsibility for the attack, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling the allegations “false” and suggesting that Ukraine staged the incident to derail potential peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. The strike occurred amid heightened tensions in the region, with increased military activity near other nuclear facilities, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
The Chernobyl attack has raised fears of a potential nuclear catastrophe, particularly in a country still haunted by the 1986 disaster. Experts, including Simon Evans of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, described the strike as “reckless” and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in maintaining nuclear safety. Ukrainian authorities plan to provide detailed information about the incident to U.S. officials, as the country continues to seek Western support in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
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