Russia Denies Striking Chernobyl Shell as Radiation Levels Remain Normal

Zelenskyy reported that the strike, which he said involved a high-explosive warhead, caused a fire that was later extinguished. He assured that radiation levels at the site remained stable, with the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirming that the strike did not breach the plant’s inner containment shell.

The IAEA, which has staff stationed at the site, reported hearing an explosion but refrained from assigning blame, noting that the outer shell, built in 2016, was damaged. The IAEA also confirmed that radiation levels in and around the plant remained normal.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Ukraine’s claims, stating, “There is no talk about strikes on nuclear infrastructure. Our military does not engage in such actions.” He suggested that Ukraine may have fabricated the drone strike allegation to disrupt peace efforts between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who are set to meet to discuss ending the war.

The incident, which took place early Friday morning, came just days after Trump’s announcement of his upcoming meeting with Putin—sparking concerns in Ukraine about being sidelined in future peace talks. Ukraine’s struggle to withstand Russia’s larger military force along the front line has heightened its dependence on Western support.

Andrii Yermak, head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, said that Ukraine plans to provide U.S. officials with more details about the Chernobyl strike during the Munich Security Conference starting Friday.

Zelenskyy argued that the attack was a clear sign that Russia has no intention of negotiating peace, calling Russia’s actions a “terrorist threat to the entire world.” He further insisted that Russia must be held accountable for its actions.

The Chernobyl nuclear site remains a point of concern in the ongoing war, with the IAEA emphasizing the persistent nuclear safety risks posed by the conflict, particularly at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which remains under Russian occupation.

While the exact perpetrators of the Chernobyl strike remain unclear, the damage and subsequent fire underscored the continued risks to Ukraine’s nuclear facilities amidst the ongoing war.