Jump to content

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant drone strike

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant drone strike
Part of Russian invasion of Ukraine
The explosion (left) that the strike caused
LocationNear Pripyat, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine
Date14 February 2025
01:50 (EET)
Attack type
Drone attack
DeathsNone
InjuredNone

On 14 February 2025, an unmanned aerial vehicle hit the New Safe Confinement structure at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. The attack resulted in significant damage to the protective shelter, but did not lead to increased radiation levels in the surrounding area.[1] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a Russian combat drone carrying a "high-explosive warhead" had struck the structure. Russia denied the allegations, instead suggesting that Ukrainian officials made the claim to disrupt peace negotiations.[2][3]

Background

[edit]

The strike immediately preceded the Munich Security Conference in Germany, where the Vice President of the United States JD Vance was scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The day prior to the strike, United States President Donald Trump announced potential peace negotiations following what he described as a "highly productive" conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.[1]

Strike

[edit]

In the early hours of 14 February 2025, at approximately 1:50 am local time, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) personnel stationed at the Chernobyl site reported hearing an explosion at the New Safe Confinement facility.[1][4] The facility was constructed to prevent the release of remaining radioactivity from the site of the Chernobyl disaster.[4]

Visual evidence of the strike, shared by Zelenskyy on social media platform Twitter/X, depicted an intense flash of light emanating from roof of the facility above Reactor 4, followed by a substantial column of smoke rising into the sky. Ukrainian emergency services responded promptly to extinguish the resulting fire.[1][5]

Aftermath

[edit]

Following the strike, Ukrainian authorities conducted immediate assessments of the structural damage and potential radiation risks. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine confirmed that radiation levels remained within normal parameters, though initial evaluations indicated substantial damage to the protective shelter. Zelenskyy later shared photographic evidence purportedly showing the interior of the damaged sarcophagus.[1][6]

Reactions

[edit]

Zelenskyy described the attack and ongoing drone strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure as evidence that Russian leadership was not genuinely interested in diplomatic solutions, suggesting instead that such actions demonstrated an intent to "continue deceiving the world."[1] He urged the international community to institute "pressure on the aggressor", insisting that "Russia must be held accountable for its actions."[5]

The Russian government denied allegations of striking the power plant, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that "our military doesn't do that" and suggesting that Ukrainian officials made the claim to disrupt peace negotiations.[2] Senior Russian diplomat Rodion Miroshnik [ru] similarly accused Kyiv of reacting "hysterically" to the start of dialogue between Putin and Trump by launching large-scale drone attacks on Russian regions.[3]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "Ukraine says Russia drone attack hits Chernobyl nuclear plant, radiation levels normal". CNN. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  2. ^ a b Novikov, Illia (14 February 2025). "Russia denies Ukrainian claim it struck Chernobyl reactor shell as radiation levels remain normal". AP News. Archived from the original on 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Kiev to attempt to disrupt Russia-US dialogue with terrorism — diplomat". TASS. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Ukraine-Russia war latest: Chernobyl nuclear plant hit by high-explosive drone causing 'significant damage'". The Independent. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  5. ^ a b Miller, Christopher (14 February 2025). "Ukraine accuses Russia of drone attack on Chernobyl nuclear plant". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  6. ^ Ray, Siladitya. "Chernobyl Radiation Shield Damaged By Russian Drone Strike, Ukraine Says". Forbes. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
Retrieved from "https://ergngevd.top/w/index.php?title=Chernobyl_Nuclear_Power_Plant_drone_strike&oldid=1275827579"