A Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead has struck the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials. The strike damaged the protective containment shelter and started a fire, which was put out by emergency responders.
Despite reports of the incident, radiation levels at the site remain normal, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The IAEA did not attribute blame for the strike, saying it occurred at 01:50am local time and that there was no indication of a breach in the inner containment shell.
Russian officials have denied responsibility for the attack, calling it a “provocation.” The Kremlin spokesperson claimed Russia’s military does not target nuclear infrastructure or energy facilities. However, Ukraine has accused Russia of blocking staff rotation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is located near the site of the attack.
The incident occurred as world leaders gathered in Munich for the start of the Munich Security Conference, which features the war in Ukraine as one of its main agenda items. US President Donald Trump announced a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting a renewed effort to end the conflict through negotiations. The outcome of these talks remains uncertain, leaving Europeans and Ukrainian officials worried about their involvement in the negotiations.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/14/drone-strikes-chornobyl-nuclear-plant-in-ukraine-russia-says-not-to-blame