Chernobyl plant’s protective shell hit by Russian drone, Zelenskyy says damage ‘significant’
An alleged drone strike on the protective shell covering the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine has caused a stir, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accusing Russia of being behind the incident. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that an explosion was heard coming from the New Safe Confinement at the Chornobyl site, which houses the remains of the nuclear reactor that exploded in 1986.
According to reports, the protective dome was set ablaze after an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) struck the roof of the New Safe Confinement. Zelenskyy stated that initial assessments indicate significant damage to the shelter, with surveillance footage capturing the moment the drone impacted the dome, causing an explosion.
In a social media post, Zelenskyy claimed that a “Russian attack drone with a high-explosive warhead” was responsible for the alleged attack. He described the incident as a terrorist threat and emphasized the international collaboration that went into building the shelter at the Chernobyl NPP.
Despite Zelenskyy’s accusations, Russia has denied any involvement in the drone strike. The IAEA reported that their fire safety personnel responded quickly to the incident, and there was no breach in the inner containment of the New Safe Confinement. Fortunately, there have been no casualties reported, and radiation levels inside and outside the plant remain normal and stable.
The timing of the drone strike is significant, as world leaders are gathering in Munich, Germany for the Munich Security Conference where the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is expected to be a key topic of discussion. The incident at Chernobyl underscores the ongoing tensions between the two countries and the potential consequences of such actions on a global scale.
As investigations into the drone strike continue, the international community will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and security of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and its surroundings.
