A drone attack on the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine has heightened fears of a nuclear incident and cast doubt over ongoing peace talks. While Kyiv blames Russia, Moscow denies involvement, calling it a 'reckless' act by Ukraine.
Fears of a nuclear incident in Ukraine escalated on Friday after a drone carrying an explosive device struck the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. While Kyiv blamed Russia for the attack, Moscow vehemently denied any involvement, accusing Ukraine of orchestrating a false-flag operation. The drone impact did not breach the concrete 'sarcophagus' containing the reactor itself, and radiation levels remained stable, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
However, the incident cast a shadow over recent peace talks proposed between Russia and Ukraine's Western allies, aimed at ending the three-year conflict.Ukrainian officials swiftly pointed the finger at Russia, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any Russian involvement in the drone attack, stating that the Russian military would not target nuclear infrastructure. Peskov claimed that the attack was a 'reckless' act by Kyiv, emphasizing Russia's role in the international effort to construct the facility that was struck. The incident occurred amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts, with Russian President Vladimir Putin having invited former US President Donald Trump to Moscow to discuss ending the war during a phone call on Wednesday.Adding to the complexity, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, characterized the attack on Chernobyl as a 'very clear greeting from Putin and the Russian Federation' to the assembled world leaders. Ukrainian authorities displayed recovered drone fragments, including what appeared to be an MD-550 engine, highlighting the seriousness of the attack. The drone strike coincided with heightened tensions over the potential for unilateral negotiations between Trump and Putin, raising concerns among Ukrainian allies that Trump might concede too much ground to Moscow on issues such as NATO membership and territorial boundaries. The attack on Chernobyl drew strong condemnations from the international community. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that the incident 'clearly shows' that Russia 'doesn't want peace,' while Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski argued that the drone attack 'strengthens the argument for improving Ukraine's air defences in our own self-interest.' The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with nuclear facilities in times of conflict and underscores the urgent need for continued international cooperation to ensure nuclear safety and security
Chernobyl Ukraine Russia Nuclear Safety Drone Attack Peace Talks International Atomic Energy Agency
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