"Russian Drones Attack Chernobyl, Damaging Reactor Shelter"

Russian drones are reported to have launched an offensive on the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, igniting a fire at the site known for its catastrophic nuclear disaster. The Ukrainian President, Zelenskyy, revealed the incident on X, confirming that the attack had caused some damage to the protective shelter of the plant's fourth reactor but assured there was no elevation in radiation levels. He stated, "Russia attacked the shelter that protects the world from the radiation of the damaged fourth reactor at Chernobyl. The concrete shelter was slightly damaged in this incident. Fires have been extinguished. There has been no increase in radiation levels. We are constantly monitoring the situation. According to projections, the shelter has only sustained a small amount of damage." Zelenskyy also criticized the attack as indicative of Putin's reluctance to enter peace talks.

The international community was quick to react, with the International Atomic Energy Agency reporting an explosion at the New Safe Confinement structure over the fourth reactor, which is situated near the border with Belarus. This reactor was the epicenter of a massive explosion in 1986, which resulted in a radioactive cloud that affected several parts of Europe and the Soviet Union. Efforts to contain the aftermath of that disaster led to the reactor being encased in steel and concrete. This strike's timing is significant, coming just hours before the Munich Security Conference began in Germany, where meetings between US Vice President JD Vance and President Zelenskyy were anticipated.