‘Deep concern’: Russian rockets flew over Chernobyl

Nuclear power plants under attack: “purpose of intimidation”

Both the Chernobyl site and the Ukrainian Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant have been in the path of Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles since the invasion, Kravchenko said. A total of 35 Kinschal rockets were discovered within a radius of around 20 km from the two facilities, he explained.

“It is obvious that the flights over the nuclear facilities are exclusively for… Purpose of intimidation and terror be carried out,” Kravchenko said. The Russian Defense Ministry did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

“Deep concern about risks and dangers”

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had repeatedly reported military activity near nuclear power plants. “IAEA Director General Grossi has repeatedly stated his deep concern about the risks and dangers of these military activities for nuclear safety and security,” the statement said.

Kinschal hypersonic missile: 500 kilogram warhead

Die Hypersonic missile Kinschal can carry a warhead weighing 500 kilograms. It reaches a speed of 6,500 km/h and covers 5 km in just a few seconds. Three Kinzhal rockets landed about 10 km from the Khmelnytsky nuclear power plant, Kravchenko said. The reason for the crash of the three rockets is unclear. Because the rubble showed no signs of being intercepted, said Kravchenko.

One Chernobyl explosion spread in 1986 radioactive radiation across Europe. The power plant’s last operating reactor was shut down in 2000. Russia occupied the power plant for over a month in the first weeks of its invasion of Ukraine.

Since July 2024, Ukrainian radar systems have detected at least 92 Russian drones near the Chernobyl power plant, according to Kravchenko. “Deliberate flights of (drones) with a powerful warhead over a nuclear facility are, at the very least, extremely irresponsible and show complete disregard … for the safety of civilians not only in Ukraine but throughout Europe,” he said.

500 million euros in repair costs

In February last year, a suspected Russian long-range attack drone hit the Chernobyl facility and pierced the power plant’s radiation protection cover. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) estimated the cost of repairing the power plant at at least 500 million euros.

The Kremlin denied Russian involvement at the time and said Russian forces would not attack nuclear infrastructure. Kravchenko said the Russian military was likely using Chernobyl as an attack route for drones to avoid dense areas of Ukrainian air defenses.