President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Vladimir Putin’s Russia of intentionally targeting a nuclear storage facility at Chernobyl. The Ukrainian leader condemned the incident as “extremely vile.” The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the strike damaged a fuel-reception building near a significant amount of nuclear material storage. Despite the attack, no abnormal radiation levels were detected, as the spent fuel was not present in the building during the strike, according to Energoatom, Ukraine’s state atomic agency.
Zelensky expressed his outrage on social media, emphasizing the critical nature of the facility and criticizing the audacity of the Russian strike. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, described the incident as “deeply concerning.” Separately, a drone strike by Russia resulted in the deaths of three individuals at a bus stop in southeastern Ukraine.
In response, Ukrainian forces conducted a counterattack that caused casualties in Russia’s Kursk region. These events unfolded as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted a meeting with Zelensky and the leaders of France and Germany to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine. The meeting occurred following a Ukrainian drone attack on St Petersburg, highlighting Ukraine’s increased capability to strike deep inside Russia.
The St Petersburg attack, occurring shortly after a major economic forum, dealt a blow to Putin’s attempt to downplay the conflict’s impact on Russian daily life. Despite Zelensky’s offer for a meeting, Putin declined, stating it would serve no purpose. This rejection prompted Zelensky to publicly criticize Putin, highlighting his long tenure in power and age in a letter sent on Thursday.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned of escalating attacks on Russia, stating that nowhere in the country would be safe from Ukrainian strikes, indicating a rising intensity in the conflict. Both sides are engaging in long-range strikes as the front line remains stagnant amid ongoing drone activities.