Russian drone damages Chernobyl nuke shelter: Zelenskiy

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Russian drone damages Chernobyl nuke shelter: Zelenskiy

A Russian drone attack caused significant damage to the radiation shelter of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says.

Chernobyl was the site of the world’s worst civil nuclear catastrophe when one of its four reactors exploded in 1986. That reactor is now enveloped by a protective shelter, known as a sarcophagus, to contain the lingering radiation.

The Russian drone struck the shelter of the destroyed power unit at the plant, causing a fire that has since been extinguished, he said.

“As of now, radiation levels have not increased and are being constantly monitored,” Zelenskiy said, adding that an initial assessment had found significant damage.

“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,” he said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said the strike occurred early Friday local time.

It said there was “no indication of a breach in the … inner containment” shell.

Built in 2016, the shell is designed to limit the release of radioactivity left in the reactor to the atmosphere.

The three-year Russia-Ukraine war has brought repeated warnings of dangers to Ukraine’s four nuclear plants, especially at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, which is Europe’s biggest and one of the 10 largest in the world.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said on X the strike at the CNPP and the recent increase in military activity near the Zaporizhzhia plant “underline persistent nuclear safety risks”, adding that the IAEA remains “on high alert”.

The IAEA said its personnel at the site responded within minutes of the strike, adding there were no casualties.

“Radiation levels inside and outside remain normal and stable,” the agency said on X.

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