Russian Drone Attack Struck Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Overnight, Ukraine Says

Mar. 15, 2025

Russian drone hit the protective shelter of the destroyed fourth power unit at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant / Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Social media / Handout/Anadolu via Getty; Paul Morigi/Getty

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, said firefighting personnel were dispatched to an overnight explosion at the plant, eventually extinguishing the fire.

Zelenskyy shared footage of the damage on X, claiming that it was one of many such attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and is “a terrorist threat to the entire world.”

The shelter over the damaged portion of the plant — whichBBC reportedis 900 feet wide and 354 feet tall, and required $1.6 billion to make — was created to protect against further radioactive leaks for the next century.

Russian drone hit the protective shelter of the destroyed fourth power unit at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant

Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Social media / Handout/Anadolu via Getty

The attack comes as U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpand Russian PresidentVladimir Putinhave begun negotiation conversations to end Russia’s three-year invasion of Ukraine.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine will not agree to a peace deal that his government is not involved in negotiating,BBC reported.

source: people.com