Russian drone struck Chernobyl reactor shell but radiation levels normal, Zelenskyy says

Kyiv, Feb 14: A Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead hit the protective containment shell of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Kyiv region during the night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday.

Advertisement

Radiation levels have not increased, Zelenskyy and the UN atomic agency said.

Russian officials made no immediate comment, and it was not possible to independently confirm Ukraine’s claim of Russian responsibility. The UN atomic agency did not attribute blame, saying only its team stationed at the site heard an explosion and were informed that a drone had struck the shell.

Zelenskyy said that the strike damaged the structure and started a fire, which has been put out.

The strike came two days after US President Donald Trump said he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war, in a move that seemed to identify Putin as the only player that matters and looked set to sideline Zelenskyy, as well as European governments, in any peace talks.

Ukraine intends to provide detailed information to US officials about the Chernobyl strike during the Munich Security Conference starting Friday, the head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, Andrii Yermak, wrote on his Telegram channel.

The UN International Atomic Energy Agency said the Chernobyl strike occurred at 1:50 am local time (2350 GMT). It said there was “no indication of a breach in the … inner containment” shell.

The outer shell that was hit is a protective cover built in 2016 over a heavy concrete containment structure. The inner layer was placed on the plant’s fourth reactor soon after the 1986 disaster, which was one of the worst accidents in nuclear history. The containment shells seek to prevent radiation leaks.

The three-year Russia-Ukraine war has brought repeated warnings of dangers to Ukraine’s four nuclear plants, especially at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, which is Europe’s biggest and one of the 10 largest in the world.

IAEA chief Rafael Rossi said on X that the Chernobyl strike and the recent increase in military activity near the Zaporizhzhia plant “underline persistent nuclear safety risks,” adding that the IAEA remains “on high alert.”

The IAEA said its personnel at the site responded within minutes of the strike, adding there were no casualties.

“Radiation levels inside and outside remain normal and stable,” the IAEA said on X.

Zelenskyy claimed on Telegram that the Chernobyl strike showed that “Putin is certainly not preparing for negotiations” — a claim Ukrainian officials have repeatedly made.

“The only state in the world that can attack such facilities, occupy the territory of nuclear power plants, and conduct hostilities without any regard for the consequences is today’s Russia. And this is a terrorist threat to the entire world,” he wrote.

“Russia must be held accountable for what it is doing,” he added. (AP)

Hot this week

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

The Baghmara connection to Meghalaya’s political history

Tura, Aug 17: For many in the state, Baghmara...

Mondal apprises NERPC of steps to harness hydropower potential

Shillong, Feb 21: Power minister AT Mondal has apprised...

Ardent misled people on Article 371: KHADC chief

Shillong, Feb 21: NPP leader and KHADC chief Pyniaid...

Bhutan PM calls Modi his ‘mentor’, seeks guidance to help transform public service

New Delhi, Feb 21: Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay...

Mob vandalism prompts repoll in 4 polling stations

Shillong, Feb 21: Repoll has been ordered in four...

Nepalese girl death: KIIT founder Samanta, other functionaries appear before Odisha govt panel

Bhubaneswar, Feb 21: Senior officials of Odisha-based Kalinga Institute...

Jaishankar stresses India-China cooperation to maintain G20 integrity

Johannesburg, Feb 21: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on...

Language row: Rise above politics, Pradhan tells Stalin

New Delhi/Chennai, Feb 21: The language row involving the...

Car lies atop a rock pile as driver lost control in Tura

Tura, Feb 21: A Hyundai vehicle lies atop a...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img