Chernobyl: Ukraine says Russia drone attack hits nuclear plant, radiation levels normal
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Ukraine Says Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Hit by Russian Drone Strikes
Above: A fire seen on the protective shield on reactor four of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on Feb. 13, 2025, in Ukraine. Image copyright: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) via X
The Facts
Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a Russian drone struck a protective shield of one of the destroyed reactors of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on Thursday.
"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," Zelenskyy wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
The concrete and steel structure protecting Chernobyl's nuclear reactors was completed by an international coalition in 2017 following the blast at the site decades earlier.
The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Every night, Russia carries out such attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, showing how Russia wages its war with little regard for the human consequences. This yet again demonstrates why Russia cannot be trusted in peace negotiations.
Pro-establishment narrative
It can be confirmed that the protective shield around Chernobyl's fourth reactor was struck by a drone and caused a fire that was extinguished shortly thereafter. This re-iterates the dangers of armed conflict continuing near nuclear power facilities.