Nuclear power can be a major force for good. That is, until it’s targeted for destruction.
Now a sudden missile attack on a nuclear reactor put the entire world on red alert.
A Russian drone struck the protective containment shell of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, causing significant damage, Ukraine reported on Friday morning.
The drone, armed with a high-explosive warhead, pierced the dome placed around Reactor 4 in 2016, leaving a large hole in the protective structure.
“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,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
“This is a terrorist attack for the entire world,” he added.
The Chernobyl plant remains a haunting reminder of the catastrophic level 7 nuclear disaster of April 26, 1986, when a power surge led to steam explosions and a reactor meltdown.
Security footage shared by Zelensky captured the dramatic moment when a brilliant flash illuminated the night sky above the defunct power plant, followed by a large fireball erupting from the domed roof of the containment structure.
Aerial videos showed flames leaping from the damaged section and later revealed what appeared to be the scorched remnants of the drone.
While the attack caused considerable damage and ignited a fire, emergency crews quickly extinguished the blaze. Officials confirmed that radiation levels have not increased since the incident, though monitoring remains ongoing.
The strike occurred just after 2 a.m., roughly 62 miles north of Kyiv. Zelensky did not mince words when condemning Russia’s actions.
“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,” he declared.
Zelensky also criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for his apparent reluctance to engage in meaningful negotiations.
“Putin is definitely not preparing for negotiations — he is preparing to continue deceiving the world,” Zelensky said. “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.”
The Chernobyl site has been a strategic target since the start of the war. Russian forces seized control of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone on the war’s first day. Putin later threatened Ukraine with another “new Chernobyl” at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
The protective sarcophagus around Reactor 4 was initially constructed in 1986 to contain the radiation. Erected within 206 days under extremely hazardous conditions, the structure was only partially effective due to the reactor’s intense radioactivity.
In 2016, the more robust New Safe Confinement dome was rolled into place, designed to last at least a century.
The recent attack has reignited global concerns about the safety of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities amid the ongoing conflict. The world watches with bated breath as Russia’s reckless tactics continue to endanger not only Ukraine but the entire international community.
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