The shelter covering reactor four at the Chernobyl nuclear plant has been 'significantly' damaged by a Russian missile strike, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.
An explosion and subsequent fire at the plant in 1986 sent radioactive material into the atmosphere, with Soviet authorities setting up a 30km exclusion zone around the site.
The nearby town of Pripyat was completely abandoned, with 30 workers dying as a direct result of the accident, including 28 by acute radiation sickness.
An hastily-constructed containment shelter was replaced in 2016 by the New Safe Confinement but, according to the President of Ukraine, has been damaged by a warhead fired from a Russian drone in the ongoing war.
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While the shelter is 'significantly' damaged, radiation levels are said to be normal.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said the strike occurred at 1.50am local time. It said there was “no indication of a breach in the … inner containment” shell. The Russian Defence Ministry is yet to comment.
Mr Zelenskyy wrote on social media: "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, 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. The shelter at the Chornobyl NPP was damaged by this drone. The fire has been extinguished.
"As of now, radiation levels have not increased and are being constantly monitored. According to initial assessments, the damage to the shelter is significant.
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.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 14, 2025
This shelter was built by Ukraine together with other countries of Europe and the world,… pic.twitter.com/mLTGeDYgPT
"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."
