Radiation levels remain normal after a drone armed with a warhead struck the outer shell of Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear plant, the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency said.
The Context
The drone hit Chernobyl early Friday, creating a hole in the structure and briefly starting a fire. Kyiv blamed Russia for the attack. The Kremlin has denied responsibility.
What To Know
The IAEA said that radiation levels continue to be normal because the drone did not breach the nuclear plant's inner containment shell.
There is an IAEA team stationed at the site and the agency did not provide details on who was responsible for the strike. But it confirmed that its observers heard an explosion and were told that a drone had hit Chernobyl.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed Russia for the drone attack, writing on X (formerly Twitter), "The only country in the world that attacks such sites, occupies nuclear power plants, and wages war without any regard for the consequences is today's Russia. This is a terrorist threat to the entire world."
What People Are Saying
Zelensky wrote on X: "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, together with America – all those committed to real security for humanity."
He added: "The shelter at the Chornobyl NPP was damaged by this drone. The fire has been extinguished. As of now, radiation levels have not increased and are being constantly monitored. According to initial assessments, the damage to the shelter is significant."
"Every night, Russia carries out such attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure and cities," Zelensky wrote. "Russia continues to expand its army and shows no change in its deranged, anti-human state rhetoric. This means that Putin is definitely not preparing for negotiations — he is preparing to continue deceiving the world. That is why there must be unified pressure from all who value life – pressure on the aggressor. Russia must be held accountable for its actions."
What Happens Next
Friday's drone attack will almost certainly complicate potential peace talks over Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Zelensky, appearing at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, told reporters that he will not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin unless the U.S. and Ukraine convene beforehand and come up with a common negotiation strategy.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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About the writer
Sonam Sheth is an Evening Politics Editor at Newsweek who is based in New York. She joined Newsweek in 2024 ... Read more