Chernobyl Shelter Damaged by Russian Drone Attack, Claims Ukraine

An overnight drone attack by Russian forces has reportedly damaged the radiation shelter of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant's fourth reactor unit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the incident, stating that the strike led to a fire, which has since been put out. Notably, radiation levels at the site have remained stable, with no increases detected as of Friday morning. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicated that emergency fire safety teams reacted promptly to the explosion, but no casualties were reported in the aftermath of the attack, which continues to raise concerns amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Zelensky emphasized the gravity of the situation, urging the international community to take note of the risks posed by such military actions near nuclear sites. The Chernobyl plant, notorious for the catastrophic explosion that occurred in 1986, remains a sensitive point in the ongoing war, highlighting the stakes involved in the use of drones in warfare.