Zelensky says the drone Russian attack has damaged the shield of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, publicising images

A Russian overnight-dance attack has caused major damage to the radiation shield of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday.

Chernobyl was the site of the world's largest nuclear disaster when one of its four reactors exploded in 1986.

This reactor is wrapped up in a protective shelter known as sarcophagus for protection from remaining radiation.

The Russian Droni struck the shield of the destroyed unit at this nuclear power plant, triggering fire, which was extinguished, Zelensky said.

“at present, the radiation level has not increased and is constantly being monitored”, he stressed, adding that initial estimates indicate huge damage.

The only country in the world that attacks such an area, usurps nuclear power plants, and wages war without regrets for the consequences, is today Russia”, he underlined.

The International Nuclear Energy Agency (IAEA) said its personnel at the scene reacted within minutes after the attack, adding that there are no casualties. She said her staff had reportedly hit the roof of the shield.

“The radiation levels inside and outside remain normal and sustainable”, she said at X.

The attack took place two days after United States President Donald Trump said he would meet with Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, to talk about ending the war in Ukraine.

But, Zelensky said in Telegram that the attack on Chernobyl showed that “Putin, of course, is not preparing for negotiations”.

“Russia should be held responsible for what it is doing”, he added.

Ukraine aims to provide information to US officials about the attack on Chernobyl during the Munich Security Conference, which began today, wrote the head of the Ukrainian Presidency, Andri Yermak, on its channel in Telegram. / REL/