Crisis at Chernobyl: Russian Drone Strike Hits Nuclear Reactor Shield, Triggers Explosion—Zelensky: “Putin Doesn’t Care, He Doesn’t Want Negotiations”

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A Russian drone struck the defense shielding of Chernobyl’s Reactor 4 overnight Thursday into Friday and caused an explosion with fire, Reuters reported. Radiation levels are under control, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported. In an X post, however, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the attack is “a terrorist threat to the entire world.”

Fire safety personnel and rescue vehicles were in minutes, and there are no reported casualties, the IAEA added. “Radiation levels inside and outside are normal and stable. The IAEA continues to monitor the situation,” the agency added.

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

Zelensky’s Response

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed that Russian drones struck the ex-Chernobyl nuclear power plant’s protection radiation shield during the night.

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

In his post, Zelensky wrote:

“During the previous night, a Russian strike drone loaded with an explosive warhead attacked the radiation shelter for the former Chernobyl nuclear plant reactor.”

“Every night, Russia makes such attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Russia keeps piling up its military and shows no change in its sick and inhumane propaganda. This clearly indicates that Putin is not preparing for negotiations but rather to continue deceiving the world,” Zelensky said.

Because of this, Zelensky emphasized in his statement regarding the Chernobyl attack that an international concerted effort is needed to cause Russia to pay the price for what they have done.