Russian drone strikes Chernobyl nuclear plant shelter, sparking international concern VIDEO

In an escalation of hostilities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a Russian drone struck the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant overnight on February 13, causing damage to the shelter protecting the plant's fourth reactor.

The explosion, which was caused by a high-explosive warhead, raised alarms about the safety of the site, which has long been the focus of global nuclear safety concerns, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Zelensky detailed the incident on X, stating, “A Russian attack drone with a high-explosive warhead struck the shelter protecting the world from radiation at the destroyed 4th power unit.”

The concrete structure that encases the reactor, known as the New Safe Confinement (NSC), was reportedly damaged during the strike, and a fire that followed was swiftly extinguished.

Despite the severity of the attack, Zelenskyy assured the public that radiation levels had not increased. “Radiation levels have not increased and are being constantly monitored. According to initial assessments, the damage to the shelter is significant,” he added.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also confirmed the strike, reporting on X that its team at the Chernobyl site “heard an explosion coming from the New Safe Confinement, which protects the remains of reactor 4 of the former Chernobyl NPP, causing a fire.”

The IAEA stated that they had been informed that the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) had struck the roof of the NSC.

Unit 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded in 1986, sending radioactive clouds across parts of the Soviet Union and Europe. In response, the reactor was encased in a concrete and steel sarcophagus, now further protected by the NSC, a vital structure intended to contain radiation for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian military forces reported that Russia had launched a total of 133 drones at Ukraine on February 13 night, with 73 of them successfully intercepted and destroyed. The remaining 58 drones either missed their targets or were neutralized before reaching their objectives. The drones were shot down across 11 regions, covering much of the country.

Zelenskyy condemned the continued Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, stating that they reflect President Vladimir Putin's intentions. “Putin is definitely not preparing for negotiations — he is preparing to continue deceiving the world,” Zelenskyy wrote, emphasizing the ongoing threat to Ukraine’s safety and sovereignty.

The international community has expressed grave concern over the attack on Chernobyl, with calls for heightened efforts to protect nuclear sites amidst the ongoing conflict. The damage to the sarcophagus, while contained for now, highlights the risks of further escalation and the importance of maintaining strict safeguards around nuclear facilities.

By Vafa Guliyeva