Ukraine says Russian missiles flew near Chernobyl
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- Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko reported that Russian drones and missiles have repeatedly flown near the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear plant and the Khmelnytskyi plant, raising the risk of a major nuclear accident.
- Kinzhal missiles were detected 35 times within roughly 20 km of either Chernobyl or Khmelnytskyi, with 18 flights passing within 20 km of both sites on the same sortie.
- Three Kinzhal missiles fell to the ground within about 10 km of the Khmelnytskyi plant, and their wreckage showed no evidence of being intercepted.
- Russian drones have flown within a 5 km radius of the Chernobyl radiation shield at least 92 times since July 2024, and the true number is likely higher because radar tracks may represent multiple drones.
- IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has repeatedly voiced deep concern and urged maximum restraint near nuclear facilities to avoid a possible accident.
- A Russian drone struck the Chernobyl containment shield in February 2025, causing damage that could lead to irreversible corrosion within four years, with repair costs estimated at at least 500 million euros.
- Russia's defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations.
Why it matters: The flights expose Ukraine’s nuclear infrastructure to accidental damage, threatening civilian safety and potentially releasing radiation across Europe, while forcing Kyiv to allocate resources for monitoring and repairs; Russia faces intensified scrutiny and diplomatic pressure, and the IAEA’s warnings may trigger stricter security protocols.
