Ukraine Marks 40th Anniversary of Chornobyl Amid Russian Drone Attacks
Ukraine marked the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster amid renewed accusations by President Volodymyr Zelensky that Russia is engaging in "nuclear terrorism." This statement came as Russia launched over 100 drones overnight, resulting in five deaths across Ukraine.
President Zelensky highlighted that Russian drones frequently fly over the Chornobyl site and noted that one drone struck the protective shell surrounding the nuclear plant last year.
He warned that Russia's invasion is bringing the world to the brink of a man-made disaster.
The drone attacks have caused casualties and ongoing disruption in Ukraine, with the latest barrage continuing a pattern of almost nightly assaults since the conflict began in 2022.
Zelensky called on the international community to force Russia to halt these reckless attacks.
The significance of these events is heightened by the anniversary of the 1986 Chornobyl disaster, the worst civilian nuclear accident in history, which still poses environmental and safety concerns.
International officials attended commemorative events, including Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
Grossi emphasized the urgent need to repair damage to the protective shell at Chornobyl, describing the current situation as problematic.
Environmental group Greenpeace warned that the damage to the shell increases the risk of a radioactive leak.
They noted that repairs, which could take up to four years, are nearly impossible under the current conditions due to Russia's invasion.
Russia's nuclear agency, Rosatom, which took control of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant early in the invasion, stated that remembering Chornobyl means learning from past disasters to prevent future ones.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest civilian nuclear power complex, is currently in shutdown mode.
