Ukraine-Russia war latest: Chernobyl strike sparks nuclear contamination fears as Zelensky meets Vance in Munich
A suspected Russian drone strike on Chernobyl has sparked fears of a radioactive leak but the situation is under control, the chief engineer at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant said.
The strike has caused severe damage to the nuclear power plant’s confinement structure, rendering it non-functional, the engineer Alexander Titarchuk said. “There is now a possibility of a leak of radioactive substances, but the situation is under control,” he said.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said a “high-explosive” drone struck the protective shell of reactor four at the plant, causing a fire that has since been extinguished, but initial assessments showed damage to the shelter was significant.
The strike, which Russia claimed was a Ukrainian “false flag”, took place before Mr Zelensky met US vice president JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference on Friday and said his nation wants “security guarantees” before any talks with Russia as the Trump administration presses both countries to find a quick endgame to the three-year war.
He also warned that Russia may be preparing to launch intensified offensive operations into northern Ukraine or attack Nato’s eastern flank in 2026.
