Zelenskyy warns Russia risks nuclear disaster at Chornobyl as Ukraine strikes deep inside Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl reactor disaster by accusing Russia of 'nuclear terrorism,' stating Russian drones repeatedly fly over the site and one struck its protective shell last year. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi confirmed the damage has jeopardized a critical safety function of the shell, warning that delayed repairs could threaten the original sarcophagus beneath, with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development estimating repairs require at least €500 million ($586 million).
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff reported Sunday strikes on an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, deep within Russian territory, which processes 15 million tons of oil annually for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, igniting fires at the facility. A separate Ukrainian drone strike damaged a high-pressure sulfuric acid pipeline at a fertilizer plant in Vologda region operated by Apatit (PhosAgro subsidiary), injuring five people though containment prevented hazardous chemical leaks, per local governor Georgy Filimonov. Ukraine has deployed long-range drones capable of reaching targets 1,500 kilometers inside Russia.
Amid these escalations, President Donald Trump claimed in a Fox News interview he has held 'productive discussions' with Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy to resolve the conflict, noting Ukrainian peace talks stalled after US-Israel attacks on Iran on February 28. With Chornobyl’s structural integrity compromised and Ukrainian strikes expanding Russia’s internal vulnerabilities, the situation raises immediate concerns about nuclear facility safety and broader conflict expansion.
Given the documented risks to Chornobyl’s containment systems and Ukraine’s demonstrated capacity to strike strategic Russian infrastructure, what specific de-escalation measures or international safeguards should be prioritized to prevent further deterioration of nuclear safety conditions while addressing the underlying conflict dynamics?