Russian Strike Causes Blackout at Chornobyl Nuclear Site, Zelenskyy Warns of Global Threat
A Russian drone attack on a power substation in the town of Slavutych triggered a blackout lasting more than three hours at facilities of the decommissioned Chornobyl nuclear power plant.
The Gaze reports this, referring to a statement made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy late Wednesday.
The outage disrupted critical infrastructure at the site, including the New Safe Confinement structure, built to contain radioactive materials from the 1986 reactor explosion, as well as the storage facility holding around 80% of Ukraine’s accumulated spent nuclear fuel, weighing more than 3,250 tonnes.
“This was a targeted strike. Russia deployed more than 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones, deliberately creating the risk of a nuclear incident,” Zelenskyy said in a statement, adding that part of the swarm was intercepted but several drones hit their targets.
The president also highlighted that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has remained without external power for eight consecutive days following Russian shelling.
He accused Moscow of refusing to restore electricity supply to the occupied facility and of exploiting what he called the International Atomic Energy Agency’s “weak stance” under Director Rafael Grossi.
“Every Russian attack on energy infrastructure, including sites critical for nuclear safety, is a global threat,” Zelenskyy warned. “Ukraine has six nuclear power plants, and each could become a target for Russian drones and missiles.”
He urged the European Union, the United States, and members of the G7 and G20 to respond with stronger measures and sustained pressure on Moscow to prevent further risks. “I am grateful to everyone in the world who does not remain silent,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy added that drone strikes also cut electricity to residents in parts of Kyiv and Chernihiv regions. Repair crews remain on site working to restore power supplies.
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