A Russian combat drone struck a protective shelter at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) overnight on 14 February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed.
The incident occurred just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated that he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin sought peace.
Details of the Attack
According to Zelenskyy, the drone was armed with a high-explosive warhead and hit the shelter designed to contain radiation from the destroyed reactor. The structure, known as the New Safe Confinement, was developed with international cooperation to prevent the release of radioactive material from the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster.
Zelenskyy posted a video on X appearing to show the impact of the strike.
Last night, a Russian attack drone with a high-explosive warhead struck the shelter protecting the world from radiation at the destroyed 4th power unit of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
This shelter was built by Ukraine together with other countries of Europe and the world,… pic.twitter.com/mLTGeDYgPT
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 14, 2025
The attack created a large hole in the sarcophagus covering reactor four, a structure symbolic of the worst nuclear disaster in history. Although radiation levels in Kyiv have not risen, the strike is seen as a direct message from Putin to Ukraine and the international community.
Structural Damage and Response
Following the strike, a fire broke out but was swiftly contained. Ukrainian authorities reported that the radiation levels at the site remained stable. However, Zelenskyy noted that initial assessments indicate significant structural damage to the shelter.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the explosion, stating that the drone hit the roof of the isolation structure of the New Safe Confinement. Fire safety personnel and vehicles responded within minutes, preventing further escalation. The agency remains on “high alert” following the attack, with Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stressing that there is “no room for complacency.”
During the night of 13-14 Feb, at around 01:50, IAEA team at the Chornobyl site heard an explosion coming from the New Safe Confinement, which protects the remains of reactor 4 of the former Chornobyl NPP, causing a fire. They were informed that a UAV had struck the NSC roof. pic.twitter.com/Ee5NSRgDo8
— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) February 14, 2025
The IAEA has called for an urgent international response to the attack, noting that any damage to nuclear facilities poses a significant global risk. “The integrity of nuclear containment structures must not be compromised under any circumstances,” Grossi added.
Chernobyl’s Nuclear Shield
Chernobyl’s New Safe Confinement was completed in 2016 and is considered one of the most complex engineering projects in history. The structure was designed to contain radiation for the next 100 years and was constructed with contributions from over 40 countries.
It replaced the older sarcophagus, which had deteriorated over time. The structure measures 275 metres (900 feet) wide and 108 metres (354 feet) tall, costing €1.48 billion to construct.
Despite the structural integrity of the shield, experts warn that repeated strikes or further damage could lead to the release of radioactive material, posing an international environmental and health crisis.
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The Chernobyl Legacy: Zelensky’s Plea for International Support
