A Russian drone strike has hit the protective dome built over the Chernobyl power plant to prevent it from spewing deadly radiation out into the world, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
Russia has spared little in its invasion of Ukraine, having massacred civilians, killed thousands and displaced millions from their homes.
It is almost three years since Vladimir Putin sent troops across the border and started the largest, deadliest conflict in Europe since the Second World War.
In the early stages of the war there was fighting around Chernobyl, and the safety of the site which endured a horrific nuclear disaster is a concern for the entire world.
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President Zelensky announced that during the night (14 February) a Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead hit the protective dome over Chernobyl, though fortunately it does not appear as though radiation levels in the area have increased.
Zelensky said that the drone strike damaged the structure and caused a fire, which has since been put out. There were no casualties in the attack.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the strike occurred at 1.50am local time, but fortunately there was 'no indication of a breach' in the dome that covers reactor number four.
Built in 2016, the shell is meant to stop radiation leaking out of the destroyed reactor, and IAEA chief Raphael Rossi said the strike and military activity nearby 'underline persistent nuclear safety risks'.
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Writing on social media Zelensky said the attack was 'a terrorist threat to the entire world' and warned that 'Putin is definitely not preparing for negotiations', a statement which comes at a time when US president Donald Trump is being warned not to try and make a peace deal with Russia that does not have the consent of Ukraine.
Zelensky said: "Last night, a Russian attack drone with a high-explosive warhead struck the shelter protecting the world from radiation at the destroyed 4th power unit of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
"This shelter was built by Ukraine together with other countries of Europe and the world, together with America – all those committed to real security for humanity.
"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. This is a terrorist threat to the entire world.
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"The shelter at the Chornobyl NPP was damaged by this drone. The fire has been extinguished. As of now, radiation levels have not increased and are being constantly monitored. According to initial assessments, the damage to the shelter is significant.
"Every night, Russia carries out such attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and cities. Russia continues to expand its army and shows no change in its deranged, anti-human state rhetoric.
"This means that Putin is definitely not preparing for negotiations — he is preparing to continue deceiving the world. That is why there must be unified pressure from all who value life – pressure on the aggressor. Russia must be held accountable for its actions."
Topics: Russia, Ukraine, Chernobyl, World News, Vladimir Putin
Joe Harker