Russian drone strikes and damages sarcophagus at Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Zelensky says

A Russian attack drone carrying a high-explosive warhead struck the containment structure built over the destroyed fourth reactor of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the early hours of February 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The strike damaged the protective structure, he said, and sparked a fire that was later extinguished. “At present, radiation levels have not increased, and monitoring is ongoing. Preliminary assessments indicate significant damage to the shelter,” Zelensky said.

“This shelter was built by Ukraine alongside other nations in Europe and around the world — together with the United States and all those who believe in real security for people,” he added. “The only country in the world that would attack such a site, occupy nuclear power plants, and wage war with no regard for the consequences is today’s Russia. And this is a terrorist threat to the entire world.”

Zelensky released video footage of the explosion, along with images of the fire and damage caused by the drone strike. Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, also shared photos of the blast and its aftermath. He vowed to provide the United States with “a great deal of information about Russia’s strike on the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and how [Russia] is constantly launching drones through the Chornobyl exclusion zone” during the Munich Security Conference, which opens today.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose staff are stationed in the area, confirmed that early February 14, they heard explosions and saw a fire. They were told that a drone had struck the sarcophagus covering the destroyed reactor. According to the IAEA, there are currently no signs of a breach in the inner protective shell of the containment structure.

“Radiation levels inside and outside remain normal and stable. No casualties [have been] reported. IAEA continues monitoring the situation,” the agency said.

As of publication, Russia’s Defense Ministry had not commented on the reported attack.