Zelensky: "On the 40th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster, Russia Is Once Again Pushing the World Toward Catastrophe"

AFP Yonhap News Agency

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 26 (local time) called on the world to stop Russia’s nuclear terrorism as the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which occurred in the former Soviet Union, was marked.

President Zelensky wrote on his social media platform X on this day, “Forty years ago, the world faced one of the largest nuclear catastrophes,” adding, “Through war, Russia is once again pushing the world to the brink of a man-made disaster. Iranian-made Shahed drones deployed by Russia frequently fly over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and last year, they attacked the protective structures.” He strongly criticized Russia.

The nuclear disaster President Zelensky referred to from 40 years ago is the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Located in the northern border region of Ukraine, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was the site of the worst nuclear explosion in history on April 26, 1986, during the Soviet era. At the time, it is estimated that thousands to tens of thousands died from radiation exposure, and hundreds of thousands were evacuated. Additionally, about 600,000 people who participated in the cleanup work were also exposed to high levels of radiation. In Belarus, where nuclear fallout occurred, more than 40% of the national territory was designated as a restricted zone.

President Zelensky stated, “The best way to stop the continuation of Russia’s nuclear terrorism is to force Russia to cease its reckless attacks,” and stressed, “The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant must be returned to Ukrainian control.” The Zaporizhzhia plant has been occupied by Russia during the war and remains under the control of Rosatom, the Russian state-owned company.

All reactors at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are currently shut down, but spent nuclear fuel is being stored in cooling facilities. Protective containment structures have been installed to isolate radioactive material, and a 30-kilometer radius area has been designated as an exclusion zone with restricted public access and special management. However, in February last year, the protective containment structure was damaged in a drone attack. Ukraine claims Russia was responsible for the attack, while Russia denies involvement.

Meanwhile, Ukraine held a ceremony on that day to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. The event was attended by Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and others. Ukrainian citizens also honored the victims at a memorial site set up in Slavutych, Kyiv.

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