Ukraine's MFA on Chornobyl disaster anniversary: Kremlin once again disregards human life

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the tragedy was the result of an experiment demanded by Moscow to assert its ambitions, violating basic safety rules.

Soviet authorities tried to cover up the scale of the disaster, leading to the radiation exposure of millions. More than 145,000 square kilometers of land were contaminated, including 2,218 towns and villages in Ukraine.

Nearly 5 million people were affected by the consequences of the disaster.

In 2022, the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone became one of the first targets of the Russian invasion. During 36 days of occupation, Russian forces violated radiation protocols and used the territory as a military base.

In 2025, Russia carried out a drone strike on Chornobyl’s protective infrastructure. The attack damaged elements of the protective shell, increasing the risks to the Shelter facility.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stresses the urgent need to restore full control over nuclear facilities to ensure global security.

"On the anniversary of the Chornobyl tragedy, we once again emphasize: the price of silence, cynicism, and impunity is too high. Only through joint actions can we stop Russian terror and prevent the recurrence of such tragedies," the Ministry stated.

Russian strike on Chornobyl NPP

On the night of February 14, a Russian strike drone carrying a high-explosive warhead hit the shelter over the destroyed fourth reactor at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

Later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the Russian drone, which attacked the sarcophagus at Chornobyl, was flying at an altitude of 85 meters. Radars did not detect it.

Additionally, according to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Russia struck the shelter of Unit 4 of the Chornobyl NPP with a drone carrying a high-explosive warhead. Emergency workers extinguished the fire, and radiation levels are currently normal.