Russian drone attacks Chernobyl nuclear disaster zone, Zelenskyy shares video

After a drone struck the Chernobyl nuclear disaster zone in Ukraine on Thursday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed Russia.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy shared what he said was the video of the explosion and said “a Russian attack drone with a high-explosive warhead” struck the zone. Referring to the international fallout of any serious breach in the containment structure, he said that such strikes are a “terrorist threat to the entire world”.

“This shelter was built by Ukraine together with other countries of Europe and the world, together with America – all those committed to real security for humanity. The only country in the world that attacks such sites, occupies nuclear power plants, and wages war without any regard for the consequences is today’s Russia. This is a terrorist threat to the entire world,” said Zelenskyy.

More from World

Russia, opposed to Ukraine's Nato membership, says joining European Union is Kyiv’s ‘sovereign right’ Russia losing 1,000 soldiers a day, economy hurting: What Ukraine deal may bring to Moscow

Last night, a Russian attack drone with a high-explosive warhead struck the shelter protecting the world from radiation at the destroyed 4th power unit of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

This shelter was built by Ukraine together with other countries of Europe and the world,… pic.twitter.com/mLTGeDYgPT

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 14, 2025

This is not the first time that the Chernobyl nuclear disaster zone has been compromised in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia’s targeting of nuclear sites, including the Chernobyl site that’s home to the world’s worst nuclear disaster of 1986, is seen as part of its nuclear blackmail to pressure Ukraine and the West into accepting its terms regarding the war.

What we know of attack on Chernobyl site

The IAEA, which has personnel at the site, said on X that they heard an explosion at around 1:50 am on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.

The explosion turned out to be drone strike on the New Safe Confinement, which protects the remains of reactor 4 of the former Chornobyl nuclear power plant that was the site of the 1986 disaster. The strike caused a fire that the IAEA said was eventually doused.

The IAEA said that there was no damage to the internal structure safeguarding the reactor.

“Fire safety personnel and vehicles responded within minutes. At this moment, there is no indication of a breach in the NSC’s inner containment. Radiation levels inside and outside remain normal and stable. No casualties reported. IAEA continues monitoring the situation,” said the IAEA.

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, causing a fire. They were informed that a UAV had struck the NSC roof. pic.twitter.com/Ee5NSRgDo8

— IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) February 14, 2025

On his part, Zelenskyy linked the drone strike to Russian attacks on critical Ukrainian infrastructure. Since the beginning of the war, Russia has frequently targeted Ukrainian critical infrastructure, such as power stations and railways. Zelenskyy said that such attacks show that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is not serious about negotiating an end to the war.

“Every night, Russia carries out such attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and cities. Russia continues to expand its army and shows no change in its deranged, anti-human state rhetoric. This means that Putin is definitely not preparing for negotiations — he is preparing to continue deceiving the world. That is why there must be unified pressure from all who value life – pressure on the aggressor. Russia must be held accountable for its actions,” said Zelenskyy.