Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday accused Russia of engaging in “nuclear terrorism,” warning that its continued military actions near sensitive atomic sites could trigger a catastrophe comparable to the Chernobyl disaster.
Marking the 40th anniversary of the world’s worst nuclear accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Zelenskyy said the ongoing war has placed nuclear infrastructure at grave risk, bringing “the world to the brink of another man-made disaster.”
In a strongly worded statement, Zelenskyy alleged that Russian strikes and military activity around nuclear zones—including areas near Chernobyl—amount to deliberate endangerment. He emphasized that even minor damage to protective systems could lead to the release of radioactive materials with far-reaching consequences.
Ukrainian authorities have previously reported drone and missile activity in and around the exclusion zone, including an incident last year that reportedly damaged part of the protective structure covering Reactor 4, the epicentre of the 1986 explosion.
The anniversary comes amid heightened global concern over nuclear safety in conflict zones. International observers, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, have repeatedly warned that military operations near nuclear facilities are unprecedented and pose severe risks to regional and global security.
The Chernobyl disaster, which occurred on April 26, 1986, released massive amounts of radioactive material across Europe, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands and leaving long-term environmental and health impacts. Decades later, the site remains highly sensitive, with containment structures requiring constant monitoring and protection.
Zelenskyy urged the international community to intensify pressure on Moscow and take stronger measures to safeguard nuclear installations, stressing that the consequences of inaction could be catastrophic.
As Ukraine commemorates the victims of Chernobyl, the shadow of war has transformed the anniversary into a stark reminder of the dangers posed by modern conflict to nuclear safety.