A drone armed with a warhead struck the protective outer shell of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, raising safety concerns amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The incident, for which Kyiv blamed Moscow, did not breach the inner containment shell, and radiation levels remained stable, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Russian officials denied involvement, alleging a false flag operation by Ukraine. IAEA Chief Rafael Mariano Grossi expressed deep concern over the event, emphasizing the risks to nuclear safety amid the war. The attack occurred shortly before the Munich Security Conference, where discussions about peace in the region were taking place. Despite past fears of potential radiation release, experts noted that the integrity of the original reactor's shelter was not compromised by the drone strike. The Chernobyl site, which has been under various threats during the conflict, poses challenges in nuclear safety, particularly due to power cuts affecting cooling systems critical for spent fuel.
Fri, 14 Feb 2025 21:40:03 GMT | PBS NewsHour