Killer Russian drone strikes Chernobyl nuclear reactor cover, Ukraine says – POLITICO Europe
“Radiation levels inside and outside remain normal and stable,” says International Atomic Energy Agency. KYIV — A Russian attack drone struck the massive sarcophagus protecting the destroyed Chernobyl nuclear reactor, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement Friday. The 108-meter-high arched steel structure covered the reactor in 2016 to halt nuclear contamination from the 1986 nuclear meltdown near Pripyat in Northern Ukraine, which caused a deadly environmental catastrophe across the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. It replaced an older shelter Ukraine constructed in the 1990s.”The fire has been extinguished. Radiation levels have not increased and are being constantly monitored. The damage to the shelter is significant,” Zelenskyy said after the strike.The New Safe Confinement (NSC), as the shelter is officially known, is a mammoth structure that can withstand a tornado. It was completed to cover the fourth nuclear reactor in Chernobyl in 2016.Russia fired a volley of 133 drones overnight, even as preparations begin for potential peace talks on the Ukraine war between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that at around 2 a.m. Friday its team at the Chernobyl site heard an explosion coming from the huge steel cover, which protects the remains of the nuclear reactor, as a drone had struck the roof.“Fire safety personnel and vehicles responded within minutes. At this moment, there is no indication of a breach in the NSC’s inner containment. Radiation levels inside and outside remain normal and stable. No casualties were reported. IAEA continues monitoring the situation,” the agency said in a post on X.In a video posted by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, a hole can be seen in the roof where, as Zelenskyy put it, a Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead struck.“This shelter was built by Ukraine, Europe, the world, and America — all those committed to real security for humanity. The only country that attacks such sites, occupies nuclear power plants, and wages war without any regard for the consequences is today’s Russia,” Zelenskyy said.The U.S. and Ukraine are back-and-forthing on a deal to exploit Kyiv’s rare earths in return for Washington’s support.“I don’t want to go [down] in history as [the] president who helped Putin to occupy my country,” says Ukrainian leader. Ukrainian leader implores the West to “stop this crazy guy.” It is “sad to hear this kind of rhetoric from a key ally,” says one active Ukrainian fighter.
